Podcast appearances and mentions of chuck check

Sometimes the thing that almost ended your life becomes the chapter that defines it. By the time Devin Fish was 18, he had moved 16 times, attended seven different schools, and survived a childhood shaped by poverty, bullying, and his parents' struggles with addiction. He thought joining the Army would be the start of something better. Then in July 2017, a Red Cross message forced him to fly home to make the impossible decision of whether to keep his mother on life support. She passed away just days before his birthday. What followed was a slow, quiet spiral into self-hatred, isolation, and online blackmail that brought Devin to the edge of taking his own life. This conversation walks through the moment he self-admitted to the hospital, the two pamphlets he found there that changed everything, and the single question that became the foundation of his recovery. Devin shares how he learned to use one career goal to climb out of suicidal thinking, why writing Answering the Hard Questions in Kuwait forced him to revisit every dark moment on purpose, and how faith eventually rebuilt the parts of him that survival could not. Through grief, generational trauma, silence, and self-doubt, Devin's story is a reminder that the worst chapter of your life does not have to be the end of your book. Guest Bio Devin Fish is a U.S. Army veteran, debut author, and the youngest of two who grew up in Rockford, Illinois. His childhood was marked by instability, bullying, food stamps, and his parents' struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. By 18, he had moved 16 times and attended seven different schools. In 2017, while stationed at Fort Hood, Devin received a Red Cross message telling him his mother was dying. She passed away on July 9th, just days before his birthday. In the years that followed, unresolved grief, financial collapse, and a series of online blackmail scams pushed Devin to the edge, ultimately leading him to self-admit to the hospital with suicidal ideations. Devin served nearly ten years in the Army as a Cavalry Scout and Career Counselor, and in 2021 was awarded the 1st Cavalry Division Retention NCO of the Year. While deployed to Kuwait, he wrote his debut book, Answering the Hard Questions, turning his story into a roadmap for anyone still trying to find their way out. You'll hear About How Devin grew up moving 16 times in 18 years across Rockford, Illinois The day he came home from school and found his apartment surrounded by police Why he stayed silent about his trauma for most of his life Losing his mother and being the one to make the life support decision How online blackmail and isolation brought him to the edge of suicide The two pamphlets in the hospital that helped him rewire how he thought about depression The single question that became the foundation of his recovery How writing his book in Kuwait helped him heal what he had buried for years Why faith became the cornerstone of who he is today Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 01:15 Meet Devin Fish 02:00 Growing Up in Rockford and 16 Moves in 18 Years 04:30 The Day His Father Was Hospitalized 08:00 Why He Suppressed Everything for Years 10:00 Losing His Mother and the Life Support Decision 13:00 The Blackmail Spiral and Suicidal Thinking 17:00 Thirty Seconds of Courage to Ask for Help 18:00 The Two Pamphlets That Changed His Life 20:00 Using a Single Goal to Climb Out of the Darkness 27:00 Reframing Trauma as a Chapter, Not the Whole Book 28:30 Writing Answering the Hard Questions in Kuwait 33:00 Coming Back to Faith 36:00 Devin's Message for Anyone Still Searching 38:00 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, ask yourself one hard question. Not a comfortable one. Not the one you already know the answer to. The one you have been avoiding because you are afraid of what it might say back. Maybe it is, "Why am I really staying in this?" Maybe it is, "What am I numbing right now?" Maybe it is the same one Devin asked himself: "Do I want to live, or am I just surviving?" Because as Devin shared, healing did not start when life got easier. It started the moment he stopped lying to himself in silence and answered honestly. Whatever your hard question is this week, do not run from it. Let it be the end of a chapter, not the end of the book. Connect with Devin Get his book: Answering the Hard Questions: Let It Be the End of a Chapter, Not the End of the Book Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

You are not defined by the hardest thing you have been through, the worst decision you have made, or the darkest season of your life. After more than 33 years as a trauma-informed psychotherapist, Scott Stolarick has sat across from people carrying pain most of the world never sees. From psychiatric hospitals and county jails to private practice, Scott has worked with people who have experienced trauma, people who have caused trauma, and people who are trying to understand why their anxiety, depression, anger, or substance use keeps showing up in their lives. This conversation dives into what it really means to understand the whole person, not just the behaviour, diagnosis, or moment that brought them into the room. Scott shares why trauma is often part of the mental health equation, how depression and anxiety can change the way people experience life, and why compassion matters when we are trying to understand someone's story. He also talks about coping, substance use, social media, connection, skill building, and the importance of asking for help before the weight becomes too heavy to carry alone. Through his wisdom, experience, and deeply human approach, Scott reminds us that every person is made up of many pieces. And when you take a step back, you begin to see the whole picture. Guest Bio Scott is a licensed, trauma-informed psychotherapist with 33 years of experience practicing in the state of Illinois. Throughout his career, he has worked as a clinician, administrator, and clinical supervisor, supporting individuals through trauma, mental health challenges, substance use, and complex life experiences. He also holds Management and Leadership Certifications from the University of Notre Dame and Cornell University. Scott is currently the owner of Mosaic Pathway Counseling in Gurnee, Illinois, where he brings a compassionate, whole-person approach to helping people understand their story, build healthier coping skills, and move toward healing. You'll hear About Why trauma is often part of the mental health equation How depression, anxiety, anger, and substance use can connect to deeper pain Why understanding the whole person matters more than judging one behaviour How self-medication can become a warning sign when it is used to cope Why skill building is an important part of managing mental health How social media and technology can quietly affect connection and wellbeing Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:30 Scott's Career in Trauma-Informed Therapy 04:45 Why Trauma Matters in Mental Health 09:00 Why Hurt People May Hurt Others or Themselves 11:15 Seeing the Human Behind the Behaviour 14:30 Trauma, Social Media, and a More Stressed World 17:30 How Trauma Connects to Mental Health 20:30 Understanding Depression and Anxiety 24:30 Medication, Self-Medication, and Coping 29:45 When Substance Use Becomes a Warning Sign 31:30 Building Healthier Coping Skills 34:00 Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health 37:30 Social Media, AI, and Disconnection 40:30 Learning to Relax Without a Screen 45:45 Reaching Out for Help 48:15 Scott's Message for Anyone Struggling 49:45 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one step back before you judge someone else's story — or your own. Look beyond the behaviour. Look beyond the one mistake, the one hard season, or the one piece that seems easiest to focus on. Ask yourself what else might be part of the picture. And if you are the one struggling, remember this: you are not weak for needing help. You are human. Because as Scott shared, we are all mosaics. We are made up of many pieces, and the whole picture is always bigger than one painful moment. Connect with Scott Website: https://www.mosaicpathwaycounseling.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-stolarick-lcpc-cctp-298734252 Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.  

Sometimes the thing that breaks you becomes the very thing that gives your life purpose. At 19, Miguel Bautista was driven, active, and always pushing himself to the limit. He was an athlete, a personal trainer, a top performer at work, and the kind of person who believed the answer was always to work harder, push through, and keep going. But over time, his body started sending signals he could no longer ignore. Fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, heart palpitations, and strange physical symptoms eventually led him into years of searching for answers. Doctors told him his tests looked normal, but Miguel knew something was deeply wrong. At his lowest point, he was bedridden, living with his grandparents, unable to feed himself, and wondering if life was still worth living. This conversation dives into Miguel's journey through chronic fatigue syndrome, the identity loss that comes when your body no longer lets you live the way you used to, and the turning point that helped him understand the role of the nervous system in his recovery. Miguel shares how finding a purpose bigger than himself kept him alive, why pushing harder is not always the answer, and how he now helps others move from simply surviving to truly thriving. Through pain, illness, grief, and recovery, Miguel's story is a powerful reminder that even when life feels impossible, there is still hope. And sometimes, healing begins when you stop fighting your body and start listening to what it is trying to tell you. Guest Bio Miguel Bautista is the founder of CFS Recovery, a global program helping people recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long COVID, fibromyalgia, and other nervous system-driven conditions. After experiencing severe, unexplained symptoms at 19 that left him bedridden and hospitalized, Miguel began searching for a deeper understanding of what was happening in his body. His own recovery led him to develop a structured approach focused on nervous system regulation, behavioural recalibration, and long-term stability. Today, through CFS Recovery, Miguel and his team have helped thousands of people around the world make meaningful progress, rebuild their capacity, and return to fuller, more independent lives. You'll hear About How Miguel went from athlete and high performer to bedridden with chronic fatigue syndrome Why pushing harder can sometimes make chronic symptoms worse The identity loss that can happen when illness takes away the life you knew How Miguel found a bigger purpose during his darkest season Why nervous system regulation became a key part of his recovery How CFS Recovery was born from Miguel's promise to help others heal Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 01:15 Miguel's Mission to Help People Recover 03:15 Life Before Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 07:00 Becoming Bedridden and Reaching Rock Bottom 09:00 Understanding the Nervous System Connection 11:15 Finding Purpose in the Darkest Season 17:15 Looking Under the Hood Instead of Chasing Symptoms 23:00 Why Pushing Harder Can Keep You Stuck 30:15 Turning Pain Into Purpose 32:30 How CFS Recovery Was Created 36:15 Miguel's Free Recovery Roadmap Resource 41:45 Miguel's Message for Anyone Who Feels Hopeless 44:00 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one step toward listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Maybe that means slowing down instead of pushing harder. Maybe it means asking for help. Maybe it means admitting that what you are feeling is not something you have to ignore, hide, or fight through alone. And if you are in a season where life feels heavy, hold on to this: there is still a spark inside of you. Because as Miguel shared, healing is possible. Your story is not over. And one day, you may look back and realize that the pain you survived became the purpose that helped you move forward. Connect with Miguel Website: CFS Recovery  YouTube: CFS Recovery - YouTube  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfsrecovery/ Tiktok: CFS Recovery  LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/miguel-bautista-85a188a9 Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.  

Life will hand you things you never asked for. The question is, who do you become on the other side of it? Stacie Shifflett has walked through unimaginable loss, major life transitions, and seasons that could have easily left her stuck in bitterness, anger, and grief. After losing her son, navigating the end of a 28-year marriage, and now facing a new health challenge that has changed her independence, Stacie has learned something powerful: peace is something you have to protect, practice, and choose. This conversation dives into what it really means to keep moving forward when life knocks you down, how to make peace with things you cannot change, and why healing often begins with taking radical responsibility for your own journey. Stacie shares how emotional triggers can become guideposts, why joy is not something you achieve but something you allow, and how small, intentional steps can help you become the next best version of yourself. Through grief, disruption, anger, and uncertainty, Stacie's story is a reminder that life may change around you, but you still have the power to choose how you show up. Guest Bio Stacie Shifflet is a transformation guide, author, entrepreneur, and the creator of Modern Consciousness®, a clarity-first framework that helps people understand their inner landscape, break behavioural patterns, and intentionally choose what comes next. After building companies, acquiring a $50M software company with no upfront capital, rolling out the first IBM desktops in a major federal agency, and navigating profound personal loss, Stacie rebuilt her life and identity through deep self-inquiry and emotional honesty. Her bestselling book, Treasure Map to Joy™, brings her journey to life through a transformational parable and reflects her practical, courageous approach to turning awareness into real, lasting change. You'll hear About Why making peace with loss is part of moving forward How grief can resurface long after the hardest season has passed Why emotional triggers can become a path toward healing The power of taking radical responsibility for your own journey How small steps help you become the next best version of yourself   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:30 Losing Her Son and Choosing to Move Forward 06:00 Giving Yourself Grace Through Grief 08:30 Making Peace With Loss 14:00 Divorce, Anger, and Starting Over 18:00 Becoming the Next Best Version of Yourself 22:15 Calming Emotional Triggers and Reclaiming Your Power 30:30 Stacie's Book, Treasure Map to Joy 33:15 Facing a New Health Challenge With Grace 39:00 Holding Space for Someone Who Is Struggling 40:30 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one small step toward the next best version of yourself. It doesn't have to be dramatic. It could be choosing not to react to something that usually triggers you. It could be asking for help. It could be letting yourself feel what you've been avoiding. Or it could simply be finding one moment of joy in the middle of a hard day. Because as Stacie shared, peace does not happen by accident. It comes when you choose to protect it, practice it, and take your power back one step at a time.   Connect with Stacie Website: Modern Consciousness Facebook: Modern Consciousness | Sarasota FL Instagram: Modern Consciousness®️ (@modernconsciousness) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacie-shifflett-7b5a8922/ Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.  

Some stories stay with you long after the mission ends. After 21 years in the United States Air Force, Derrick Jackson knows what it means to serve, sacrifice, and carry the emotional weight that comes with military life. From working as a jet engine specialist to becoming a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Derrick's career took him across the world and into situations most people never see. This conversation dives into the discipline, pressure, and emotional cost of service. Derrick opens up about the guilt he carried as a father while being deployed, the weight of sitting across from people on the worst days of their lives, and the challenge of transitioning out of active duty into civilian life. He also shares how writing became an unexpected form of healing. Through his debut novel Shadow One, Derrick turned pieces of his military experience into fiction, creating a story that reflects the pressure, doubt, and humanity behind service. Derrick's journey is a powerful reminder that healing doesn't always happen by forgetting what you've been through. Sometimes, it begins when you finally give it a voice. Guest Bio Derrick Jackson is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, former Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and fiction author. During his 21 years of service, Derrick first worked as a jet engine specialist on aircraft including the F-15 Eagle, C-5 Galaxy, C-141 Stratofortress, and C-17 Globemaster. After 10 years, he was recruited into the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, where he worked in criminal investigations, counterintelligence, protective services, and economic crimes. His assignments took him across the U.S. and overseas, including work supporting Air Force Special Operations Command missions worldwide. In 2014, Derrick retired from the Air Force after more than two decades of service. He is now a fiction author and released his debut novel, Shadow One, as part of the Shadow One series in 2024. You'll hear About Why Derrick joined the Air Force after making a life-changing decision in seconds How military discipline shaped his growth and leadership The emotional cost of serving as a special agent How guilt affected him as a father during deployments Why talking, faith, family, and support helped him release pressure How writing became an unexpected form of therapy after military service Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 01:15 Meet Derrick Jackson 02:15 Why He Joined the Air Force 04:15 Starting at the Bottom and Learning Discipline 08:00 Climbing the Military Ladder 10:00 Why Your Environment Matters 14:15 The Emotional Cost of Military Service 15:00 Carrying Guilt as a Father 19:00 The Weight of Being a Special Agent 22:30 Finding Support Through Coworkers, Faith, and Family 26:00 How Writing Became Therapy 29:00 Transitioning Out of Active Duty 34:45 The Story Behind the Shadow One Series 40:45 Derrick's Message for Anyone Carrying Heavy Weight 43:15 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one honest step toward releasing something you have been carrying. Maybe it is guilt. Maybe it is stress from your work. Maybe it is a memory you have tried to push down. Maybe it is a weight you convinced yourself you had to carry alone. Find one safe way to let some of it out. Talk to someone you trust. Write it down. Pray about it. Sit with yourself and admit what is really going on. Because as Derrick shared, healing does not happen by burying the weight. It begins when you are willing to recognize it, give it language, and take one step toward support. Connect with Derrick Website: DERRICK M JACKSON  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djakz27  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@djakz  Get his book here: Books - Shadow One: Jackson, Derrick M  Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.  

Grief isn't something you move on from. It's something you learn to carry. After losing three of his closest friends, John Kammer found himself doing what so many people do — avoiding the pain, pushing it down, and trying to outrun it. But over time, he realized something wasn't working. Because grief doesn't go away when you ignore it. It waits. This conversation dives into what it actually takes to process loss, why so many people struggle in silence, and the powerful shift that happens when you stop trying to "move on" and start learning how to move forward. John shares how guilt, isolation, and lack of language around grief can keep people stuck — and why healing begins the moment you're willing to share what you're really feeling. What came out of his journey is something unexpected: a tool designed to help people process grief in a way that feels safe, structured, and human. Guest Bio John Kammer is the founder and CEO of Guardian AIngels, an AI-powered grief support and reflective journaling platform designed to help people process loss in a structured and emotionally intelligent way. After experiencing the loss of several close friends, John recognized the gap between therapy sessions — the late-night moments where people are left alone with their thoughts. That realization led him to create Guardian AIngels, a tool that supports healing through guided reflection, conversation, and emotional awareness. His work is grounded in the belief that healing doesn't happen through avoidance, but through consistent, compassionate engagement with what we're feeling. You'll hear About Why grief can't be avoided and must be processed The difference between "moving on" and "moving forward" How guilt and self-blame can keep people stuck in grief Why men often struggle to express and process loss How vulnerability and sharing create real healing Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 John's Story of Loss and Early Grief 06:00 Avoidance, Substance Use, and Suppressed Emotions 10:00 Why "Time Heals" Isn't the Full Truth 13:00 The Shift From Moving On to Moving Forward 16:00 The Role of Guilt and Forgiveness in Healing 20:00 Why We Resist Processing Grief 23:00 Isolation, Masculinity, and Emotional Suppression 27:00 Healing Through Vulnerability and Sharing 31:00 How Guardian AIngels Was Created 35:00 Turning Journaling Into a Conversation 39:00 Using Tools to Support — Not Replace — Healing 42:00 Carrying Relationships Forward After Loss 45:00 Final Reflections and John's Message Chuck's Challenge This week, don't keep it all in. Share something you've been holding onto — even if it feels uncomfortable. It doesn't have to be everything. Just start somewhere. Because as John shared, healing doesn't happen in isolation. It happens when you're willing to open the door and let someone in. Connect with John Website: https://guardianaingels.ai Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

At some point, you have to decide — are you all in, or are you just interested? Andy Whittier's journey didn't follow a straight line. From walking on to a college football team in his hometown to discovering a sport he didn't even know existed, his path has been defined by one thing: the willingness to bet on himself when nothing was guaranteed. This episode goes beyond sport. It's about what happens when you step into the unknown, let go of what's comfortable, and commit fully to something that could fail. Andy shares the reality of starting over in a completely new arena, the humbling process of becoming a beginner again, and the moment he realized that success required more than just showing up — it required total commitment. From football fields to Olympic tracks, and now stepping into military service, Andy's story is a powerful reminder that growth only happens when you're willing to go all in. Guest Bio Andy Whittier is a USA Skeleton athlete known for his resilience, discipline, and pursuit of Olympic success. After playing collegiate football at Idaho State University in his hometown, Andy transitioned into the sport of skeleton after discovering it through a recruiting opportunity. Now training at the Olympic level, Andy continues to push his limits both physically and mentally while preparing for future international competition. His journey reflects a commitment to growth, perseverance, and representing something bigger than himself. You'll hear About How Andy went from college football to discovering skeleton by chance The mental challenge of starting over in a sport he knew nothing about Why "being coachable again" was one of his biggest hurdles The turning point when he fully committed to his Olympic dream What it really means to bet on yourself and go all in Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 Growing Up With Football and Early Influences 05:00 Playing College Football in His Hometown 09:00 Life After Football and Feeling the Competitive Void 12:00 Discovering Skeleton and Taking a Leap into the Unknown 16:00 The Reality of Learning a New Sport from Scratch 19:30 Becoming Coachable Again as an Adult 23:00 Early Struggles and Lack of Progress 26:00 The Moment He Took Full Ownership of His Journey 30:00 Leaving Stability to Pursue the Dream 33:30 Winning at the Next Level and Building Momentum 36:30 Personal Growth Through Adversity 39:00 Joining the Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) 42:00 Faith, Purpose, and Trusting the Process 45:00 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take an honest look at where you might be holding back. Are you fully committed to what you say you want… or are you still keeping one foot in what feels safe? Pick one area of your life and go all in — even if it's uncomfortable. Because as Andy shared, growth doesn't happen until you take full ownership of your journey. Connect with Andy Website: https://www.andywhittier.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andy_whittier_/?hl=en Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

What if the worst diagnosis of your life became the greatest gift you've ever received? When Glenn Sturm got the call at an airport in 2009 telling him he had an aggressive, incurable form of T-cell lymphoma, everything should have stopped. Instead, something unexpected happened — his perspective shifted. Rather than letting cancer define him, Glenn made a decision: he would celebrate life every single day and make someone else's life better whenever he could. Seventeen years later, still undergoing treatment, Glenn isn't just surviving — he's living with purpose, gratitude, and a commitment to serving others. This conversation explores what it looks like to choose growth over fear, purpose over pain, and why sometimes the hardest moments in life can open the door to everything you were too busy to see before. Guest Bio Glenn Sturm is a 17-year cancer survivor, four-time bestselling author, and former attorney with over 30 years of military service. A University of Florida law graduate (honors, Order of the Coif), Glenn built a highly successful legal and business career before being diagnosed in 2009 with advanced T-cell lymphoma. Since then, he has undergone continuous treatment while reinventing his life around purpose, service, and creativity. He is the author of Cancer Set Me Free, an advocate for multidisciplinary cancer care, and an accomplished photographer whose work supports charitable causes. Glenn is known for his powerful message on resilience, perspective, and living life fully — no matter the circumstances. You'll hear About The moment Glenn received his life-changing cancer diagnosis Why he chose to celebrate life instead of becoming a victim The daily habit that can change someone else's life instantly How building the right "team" can dramatically impact outcomes Why cancer became one of the greatest gifts in his life Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 Glenn's Background and Military Service 03:30 The Call That Changed Everything 07:00 Choosing Perspective Over Fear 10:30 "The Ambulance Is Gone" — A Defining Mindset Shift 13:00 Losing His Career and Reinventing His Life 17:00 Building a Multidisciplinary Cancer Team 22:00 A Life-Threatening Setback and the Power of Communication 27:00 Why He Refuses to Be a Victim 30:00 Quality of Life and Long-Term Survival 34:00 Giving Back and Serving Others Daily 38:00 How Cancer Set Him Free 42:00 Glenn's Message to Those Who Are Struggling Chuck's Challenge This week, ask yourself two simple questions at the end of each day: Did I make someone's life better today? Did I put a smile on someone's face? Even one small moment of kindness can create a ripple effect you may never see — but it matters more than you think. Connect with Glenn Website: http://www.glennsturm.com/ Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked   Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.  

The hardest battles don't always happen in combat. For Major General (Ret.) Matt Smith, the real challenge began after the uniform came off. After 32 years of service leading thousands in high-stakes environments, he found himself facing a different kind of question, Who am I now? This conversation goes beyond leadership and into something much deeper. It's about what happens when your identity has been built around purpose, structure, and mission… and then suddenly, all of that changes. Matt shares what it actually feels like to transition out of military life, why so many veterans struggle to find their footing, and the powerful lesson that you can't replace what you did, you have to build on it. From redefining purpose to understanding personal values, this episode offers insight not just for veterans, but for anyone navigating change in their life. Because at the core, this isn't just about leaving the military. It's about learning how to move forward without losing yourself. Guest Bio Major General (Ret.) Matt Smith served 32 years in the United States Army and Army National Guard, leading teams in some of the most demanding and high-pressure environments imaginable. Known for his ability to bring people together around a shared mission, he built a career rooted in trust, clarity, and purpose-driven leadership. Today, he serves as Executive Director of Veteran Initiatives at Emory University, where he leads the Goizueta Business School's Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) program. In this role, he helps veterans navigate the transition into civilian life by focusing on personal values, leadership evolution, and building a meaningful next chapter. You'll hear About Why transition is often the hardest part of any journey The difference between purpose in uniform and purpose in civilian life Why you can't replace your past — and what to do instead The role of personal values in building your next chapter Why connection, not isolation, is the key to getting through Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 Matt's Path Into the Military 05:30 9/11 and Rediscovering a Sense of Purpose 09:00 The Power of Mission-Driven Living 12:00 Transitioning Out After 32 Years of Service 15:00 The Identity Shift No One Prepares You For 18:30 Why You Can't Replace the Military Experience 22:00 Purpose, Values, and Building the Next Chapter 25:30 The Trust Gap Between Military and Civilian Life 29:00 Mental Health, PTSD, and Asking for Help 33:00 Leadership Lessons That Carry Beyond Service 36:00 The Work Being Done at Emory University 39:00 Why No One Should Go Through This Alone 41:00 Final Thoughts and Matt's Message Chuck's Challenge This week, think about a transition you're currently going through,  or one you've been avoiding. Instead of asking, "What do I replace this with?" ask yourself, "What can I build from this? And don't try to figure it out alone. Reach out to someone you trust,  because the strongest people still need support. Connect with Matt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithmattd Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

There's a point where pushing through just doesn't work anymore. For Keith Cole, that moment didn't come in combat. It came decades later — after war, loss, responsibility, and years of carrying more than anyone could see. A Vietnam Marine veteran, CPA, husband, and provider, Keith spent over 50 years holding it all together… until one night, alone in his office, everything finally broke. This episode is about what happens when the weight becomes too much to carry, and what can happen when you finally let it go. Keith shares his journey from combat and trauma to decades of silent burnout, and the moment he reached a breaking point that led to full surrender. What followed wasn't weakness — it was clarity, peace, and a new path rooted in faith, discipline, and daily practice. His story offers a powerful perspective on healing, especially for those who have spent a lifetime being "strong" for everyone else. Guest Bio Keith A. Cole is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, former CPA, author, and speaker who writes and speaks on trauma, burnout, and faith-centered recovery. After serving during the Vietnam era and spending decades managing both professional and family responsibilities, Keith experienced deep emotional and spiritual burnout. Through surrender and a renewed relationship with Jesus Christ, he developed a daily recovery framework that helped him find peace, purpose, and healing. He shares that journey in his book, Burnout: God's Recovery Plan: A Marine's Story of Trauma, Surrender, and Healing through Faith, offering practical guidance for those feeling overwhelmed by life's burdens. You'll hear About The hidden cost of carrying trauma for decades Why burnout doesn't always show up when you expect it The night everything finally came to a breaking point What surrender really looks like — and why it changes everything A practical, faith-based framework for daily healing Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 Keith's Early Life and Decision to Join the Marines 06:00 Vietnam, Combat, and Being Wounded Three Times 10:00 Returning Home and Carrying Unprocessed Trauma 14:30 The Emotional Toll of Notifying Families of Fallen Marines 18:00 Life After Service — Responsibility, Work, and Suppression 22:00 Decades of Carrying the Weight Without Processing 24:30 The Breaking Point During the Pandemic 26:30 Surrender, Faith, and a New Beginning 28:00 Creating a Daily Recovery Plan 30:00 Life Today — Peace, Rest, and Perspective 32:00 Keith's Message to Veterans and Anyone Struggling Chuck's Challenge This week, take an honest inventory of what you've been carrying for too long. Not what's visible to others — but what you've been holding inside. Write it down. Acknowledge it. And then ask yourself: Do I need to keep carrying this alone? One conversation, one moment of honesty, could be the start of real relief.   Connect with Keith  Website: https://recoverybyfaith.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kacolecpa Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

What happens when you come home from war… but your mind doesn't? Sean Martin didn't just serve in the military, he went searching for meaning, purpose, and truth at the highest level. What he found came with a cost. After his service, he was left navigating PTSD, disillusionment, and a reality that no longer felt like home. This conversation goes beyond the surface of "life after service." It explores what it actually feels like to carry those experiences, the internal battles that follow, and the long road back to clarity. Sean shares how he moved from self-medication and breakdown to self-awareness and intentional healing, not by avoiding the pain, but by confronting it head-on. Today, he channels that journey into music, using his project The Quarantined to express what many people can't put into words: trauma, anger, truth, and ultimately, growth. Guest Bio Sean Martin is the creative force behind The Quarantined, a grunge/punk/metal project known for blending aggressive sound with socially conscious themes around trauma, addiction, politics, and modern life. After early success in Southern California's live music scene and international recognition for releases like Point the Finger and Antiquate Hate, Sean expanded the project into a solo-driven vision, leading to the 2025 album Aversion to Normalcy, which has accumulated over 900,000 streams on Spotify. A U.S. Army Airborne Infantry veteran and Musicians Institute–trained artist, Sean brings lived experience into his music, with a strong focus on mental health awareness, particularly for veterans navigating life after service. You'll hear About Why Sean chose the military and what he was really searching for The unseen cost of service and life after combat How PTSD impacts identity, perception, and everyday life The turning point that shifted him toward real healing How music became a tool for expression, processing, and purposeh Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 02:00 Why Sean Chose the Military 07:00 Searching for Purpose and Identity 11:30 The Reality of Service vs Expectations 15:00 Life After the Military and PTSD 19:30 Self-Medication and Hitting a Breaking Point 23:00 The Psych Ward and a New Perspective 27:00 Facing the Root Cause of Trauma 31:00 Rebuilding Identity and Emotional Awareness 35:00 Tools for Healing and Self-Regulation 39:00 Translating Experience Into Music 42:30 Building an Independent Creative Path 45:30 Perspective, Gratitude, and Moving Forward Chuck's Challenge This week, take a moment to pause and examine your perspective. When something feels overwhelming, ask yourself, "Am I seeing this clearly, or just reacting to it?" Shifting your perspective, even slightly, can change how you move forwar Connect with Sean Website: https://www.thequarantined.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequarantined/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheQuarantined/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@TheQuarantined YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thequarantined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-martin-42912361/ Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

Sometimes the life you're living doesn't feel like your own. Before becoming a leader in youth substance use prevention, Eric Mazzeo was stuck in a cycle he couldn't break: addiction, jail, loss, and a constant battle with himself. On the outside, he came from a good home and had real opportunities. On the inside, he was overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and a deep sense of not feeling like he belonged. What changed wasn't one single moment. It was a decision to try something different when everything else had failed. In this conversation, Eric shares what it really looks like to live through addiction, the internal fight most people never see, and the turning point that led him into recovery. Today, he's using that same experience to connect with young people in a way few others can — meeting them where they are, without judgment, and showing them what's possible when someone finally believes they're worth saving. Guest Bio Eric Mazzeo grew up in Everett, Massachusetts, where he developed into a talented football player with opportunities to play at the collegiate level. Despite his potential, he struggled internally with anxiety, fear, and a need for approval that led him down a path of substance use, legal trouble, and repeated attempts to get sober. After years of cycling through detox, jail, and relapse, Eric made the decision in 2018 to fully commit to recovery through a 12-step program. Since then, he has rebuilt his life and now serves as the Assistant Director of Youth Substance Use Prevention for the City of Everett. Today, Eric works directly with young people in schools and the community, using his lived experience to educate, mentor, and support the next generation. His mission is simple,  to help others avoid the path he once walked and to remind them that change is always possible. You'll hear About What addiction actually feels like from the inside How fear, anxiety, and self-doubt drive destructive behavior The moment Eric decided to fully commit to recovery Why vulnerability and connection are key to healing How lived experience creates real impact with today's youth Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 The Decision to Finally Get Sober 05:00 Growing Up in Everett and Early Struggles 09:00 High School, Football, and Internal Pressure 12:30 Addiction as Escape and Emotional Relief 16:00 When Substance Use Starts Taking Control 20:00 Jail, Loss, and Hitting Repeated Bottoms 24:00 The Turning Point Toward Recovery 27:30 Vulnerability, Connection, and 12-Step Work 31:00 Letting Go of the Past and Finding Purpose 34:30 Working With Youth and Giving Back 38:00 Why Lived Experience Matters in Prevention 41:00 Eric's Message to Anyone Struggling Chuck's Challenge This week, pay attention to how you respond when someone is struggling. Instead of reacting with judgment or frustration, choose empathy. Reach out, listen, and remind them they're not alone. Sometimes the smallest act of understanding can open the door to real change. Connect with Eric Instagram: @emazz86 Work Instagram: eric_mazzeo_youth Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

When Shannon Ivey was diagnosed with late-stage colorectal cancer at 42, she was a single mom in a new city with no built-in support system. What followed wasn't just a medical battle. It was a crash course in self-advocacy, resilience, and learning how to navigate a system that wasn't designed for someone in her position. In this episode, Shannon shares what it really looks like to face a life-threatening diagnosis while holding everything else together. From recognizing the symptoms she almost dismissed, to building her own medical team, to making the decision to fight when she wasn't sure she wanted to, this conversation goes beyond survival. It's about reclaiming your voice in moments when it matters most. This is a powerful reminder that even in the most overwhelming situations, you have more agency than you think. Guest Bio Shannon Ivey, MFA, AEA, PCC, is a writer, patient advocate, and International Coaching Federation–certified professional coach. She is the author of Welcome to the Sht Show: A Memoir of Colorectal Cancer and the Power of Self-Advocacy* (University of South Carolina Press, 2026), a bold and honest exploration of navigating medical crisis, identity, and personal agency. After more than 20 years in theatre as a professor, actor, and director, Shannon shifted her work toward storytelling, narrative medicine, and advocacy. Following her diagnosis with late-stage colorectal cancer at 42, she became a leader in Colontown, one of the largest online support communities for colorectal cancer patients. Her work now focuses on medical self-advocacy, health equity, and the power of storytelling to drive personal and systemic change. She is currently pursuing a PhD focused on creativity and hope in post-crisis contexts.   You'll hear About The early signs of colorectal cancer that are often overlooked Why assumptions about "normal" symptoms can be dangerous What it means to truly advocate for yourself in a medical system How to build the right team around you and make hard decisions The mindset shift that helped Shannon choose to fight Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 Life Before Diagnosis and Early Warning Signs 05:00 The Moment Everything Changed 09:30 Navigating Diagnosis as a Single Parent 13:00 Making the Decision to Fight 16:30 Missed Symptoms and Medical Blind Spots 20:00 Why People Avoid Getting Checked 24:00 Breaking Stigma Around Colorectal Cancer 27:30 Building a Medical Team That Works for You 31:00 The Power of Self-Advocacy 34:30 Learning From Others and Finding Support 37:00 Life After Diagnosis and New Purpose 40:00 Shannon's Book and Message 42:30 Final Reflections and Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take ownership of one area of your life where you've been waiting for someone else to take the lead. Ask questions. Speak up. Advocate for what you need. Even a small step toward self-advocacy can create a powerful shift. Connect with Shannon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yesitsshannonivey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-ivey-mfa-aea-pcc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonmivey Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

Confidence is often seen as something you either have or don't. But what if that's not true at all? Simone Knego has spent years helping women unpack the stories that keep them stuck in self-doubt, overthinking, and the constant pressure to be "more." In this conversation, she shares how confidence isn't built through perfection, achievement, or external validation — it's built by learning to trust yourself exactly as you are. Chuck and Simone dive into the hidden patterns that quietly shape how we see ourselves, why so many high-achieving women still feel "not enough," and what it actually takes to shift from uncertainty to a grounded, unshakeable sense of self. Through personal stories, practical insight, and honest reflection, this episode offers a refreshing and accessible path to confidence that feels real, sustainable, and deeply personal. Guest Bio Simone Knego is an international speaker, award-winning author, and empowerment coach dedicated to helping women rewrite the stories they tell themselves and build lasting confidence from within. She is the bestselling author of The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You and the creator of the REAL Method™, a framework designed to help ambitious women overcome self-doubt, reconnect with their worth, and lead with clarity and courage. Her newest book, REAL Confidence: A Simple Guide to Go from Unsure to Unshakeable (2026), expands on this work by offering a practical and heartfelt roadmap to building confidence without striving for perfection. A two-time TEDx speaker, Simone's work has been featured on major media outlets including ABC, NBC, CBS, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Yahoo News. She is also the co-host of the globally ranked podcast Her Unshakeable Confidence, which she hosts alongside her daughter.   You'll hear About Why confidence isn't something you're born with or without The hidden stories that shape how you see yourself How high-achievers can still feel stuck in self-doubt What it means to build confidence from the inside out Simple, practical shifts to move from unsure to unshakeable Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:15 Simone's Journey and Defining Confidence 05:45 The Myth of Confidence and Where It Really Comes From 10:30 The Stories We Tell Ourselves 15:20 Why High-Achieving Women Still Feel "Not Enough" 20:10 Letting Go of Perfection and External Validation 25:00 The REAL Method™ Explained 30:40 Rebuilding Trust in Yourself 35:20 Confidence in Everyday Life and Leadership 40:15 Navigating Doubt, Fear, and Comparison 44:30 Practical Steps to Build Unshakeable Confidence 48:00 Final Reflections and Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, notice the story you're telling yourself in moments of doubt. Instead of immediately believing it, pause and ask, "Is this actually true, or is this just a pattern I've learned?" Choose one small moment to respond differently and see what shifts. Connect with Simone Knego Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakerSimoneKnego Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simoneknego/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simoneknego YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@her_unshakeable_confidence Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.  

What if the body already knows how to heal, and the missing piece is learning how to get out of its way? Bob Ross has spent a lifetime at the intersection of science, medicine, emergency response, and human potential. With a background in physics, medical research, and decades of hands-on experience helping people survive trauma, Bob has seen firsthand how unresolved emotional shock can quietly shape physical health, behavior, and identity. In this episode, Bob Ross and Chuck Thuss explore the deep connection between emotional trauma and the body's biological responses. From cancer research and PTSD to addiction, phobias, and chronic pain, Bob explains why healing often begins not with fighting symptoms, but with resolving what the nervous system is still holding onto. This conversation challenges conventional thinking and invites listeners to reconsider what true healing really looks like. Guest Bio Bob Ross is a physicist, medical researcher, bestselling author, and lifelong first responder with nearly four decades of service as an EMS professional and training officer with the Pasadena Fire Department. With advanced training in medical physics and cancer research, Bob contributed to major discoveries in oncology and later stepped away from traditional treatment models to focus on healing at the root level. Bob has worked with the U.S. Secret Service, served as a motion picture and television set medic, received both Presidential and Congressional awards for lifesaving service, and comes from a family lineage of inventors holding over 150 patents. Today, he helps individuals heal trauma, PTSD, phobias, addiction, and chronic conditions by addressing the nervous system and subconscious mind through science-backed, trauma-informed methods.   You'll hear About How emotional trauma creates real biological responses in the body Why unresolved shock can manifest as illness, pain, or addiction The link between trauma, the nervous system, and immune function Why healing symptoms without addressing root causes often fails Practical ways to begin emotional healing safely and effectively Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:30 Bob's Early Life and Path Into Science and Medicine 06:00 Medical Physics, Cancer Research, and Walking Away 10:30 Emotional Trauma as a Biological Event 15:00 PTSD, Shock, and the Nervous System 19:30 Why the Body Creates Symptoms to Protect Us 24:00 Trauma, Addiction, and Survival Behaviors 28:30 The Role of Safety in Healing 32:30 Real-World Stories of Recovery and Resolution 38:00 Why Talk Therapy Alone Often Falls Short 42:00 Practical Tools for Healing Emotional Trauma 45:30 Where to Learn More and Access Resources 48:00 Chuck's Closing Reflections Chuck's Challenge This week, pay attention to your body's signals instead of fighting them. When discomfort, stress, or emotion shows up, pause and ask, "What might my body be trying to protect me from?" Approach yourself with curiosity rather than judgment. Healing often begins with listening. Connect with Bob Ross Website: https://www.thehiddensecrettohealing.com/ Link to Services: https://thehiddensecrettohealing.systeme.io/8707482d Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

Losing your way can sometimes be the beginning of finding who you really are. Robert Pallante's life revolved around hockey from a young age. Growing up in the Toronto area, he played at the highest levels, earned a college scholarship, and chased the dream so many young athletes believe defines them. But when his hockey journey didn't unfold the way he expected, Rob was left struggling with identity, confidence, and unanswered questions that followed him long after he left the game. Years later, a near-fatal motorcycle accident forced Robert into stillness, reflection, and a complete reset. Lying in a hospital bed fighting for his life, he realized he was under no obligation to remain the person he had been. This episode explores what it means to separate who you are from what you do, how pain can become perspective, and why rebuilding your identity is possible at any stage of life. Guest Bio Robert Pallante grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, where hockey shaped much of his early life. Drafted into the OHL and later earning a scholarship to Michigan Tech, Robert pursued the sport at a high level before continuing into junior and professional camps. After leaving hockey, he spent over two decades building a successful career in sales, business development, and corporate leadership. In 2015, Robert survived a near-death motorcycle accident that led to eight surgeries, 40 days in the hospital, and years of rehabilitation. That experience became a turning point, reshaping his priorities and purpose. Today, Robert works with young athletes to help them build an invincible mindset, develop strong values, and prepare for life both during and after sports. He is a single father to two children, Luca and Ava.   You'll hear About Growing up in Canadian hockey culture and chasing identity through sport The mental toll of setbacks, injury, and unmet expectations How alcohol and avoidance masked deeper struggles Surviving a near-fatal accident and facing life with fresh perspective Separating identity from performance and rebuilding with intention   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:10 Growing Up in Mississauga and Falling in Love with Hockey 05:30 Junior Hockey, the OHL Draft, and College Decisions 09:00 Michigan Tech, Injury, and the Emotional Spiral 13:45 Entitlement, Ego, and Mental Readiness 18:00 Leaving the Game and Entering the Business World 22:30 Identity Loss and Unprocessed Pain 25:30 The Motorcycle Accident That Changed Everything 30:00 Recovery, Reflection, and Releasing Old Identity 34:30 Separating the Person From the Player 38:30 Building Mindset, Values, and Purpose After Sport 42:30 Rob's Message to Athletes Struggling With Transition 46:00 Chuck's Closing Reflections Chuck's Challenge This week, ask yourself a simple but honest question: Who am I when the jersey comes off? Identify one part of your identity that exists outside of your job, role, or title, and invest time in strengthening it. Your worth was never meant to depend on one season of life.   Connect with Robert Pallante Website: https://www.mindsetbodybank.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindsetbodybank/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rpallante?originalSubdomain=ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindsetbodybank   Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

When the mission ends, the questions often begin. Jeremy Stalnecker spent years building his identity around service, leadership, and responsibility as a United States Marine infantry officer. But when combat ended and the uniform came off, Jeremy found himself facing a different kind of battle, one marked by anger, isolation, loss of identity, and a quiet belief that he was completely alone. This episode traces Jeremy's journey from combat leadership to personal collapse, and ultimately to clarity. Through painful self-reflection, accountability, faith, and community, Jeremy discovered that the wounds carried after service are not signs of weakness, they are invitations to heal. His story speaks to anyone who has ever lost their sense of purpose after a major life transition and wondered if hope was still possible. Guest Bio Jeremy Stalnecker is the CEO of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping military service members, veterans, first responders, and their families heal from the unseen wounds of trauma, including PTSD. Raised in San Jacinto, California, Jeremy pursued his lifelong goal of becoming a United States Marine, earning an active-duty commission in 1999 and serving as an infantry platoon commander with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. In 2003, Jeremy deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where his unit breached the berm separating Kuwait and Iraq and helped secure Baghdad. Following his return from combat, Jeremy transitioned into full-time ministry, serving first as an Assistant Pastor at Coastline Baptist Church in Oceanside, California, and later as Senior Pastor of Bay Area Baptist Church in Fremont, California. In 2015, he joined Mighty Oaks full time, uniting his military experience and ministry calling to help others find healing, identity, and purpose after trauma. Jeremy and his wife Susanne are the parents of four children and remain deeply committed to serving those who are hurting. You'll hear About Why leaving military service can feel like losing your identity overnight The unseen emotional wounds many veterans carry home How anger and isolation quietly take over after transition The moment Jeremy realized he was not alone in his struggle How faith, purpose, and community restore hope after trauma   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:15 Jeremy's Path Into the Marine Corps 05:30 Combat Service and Leadership in Iraq 09:00 Returning Home and Losing Identity 13:30 Anger, Isolation, and Impact on Family 18:00 Being Confronted and Forced to Take Responsibility 22:00 The Realization: "I'm Not the Only One" 26:00 Reconnecting With Fellow Marines and Facing Pain 30:30 Identity, Purpose, and the Role of Faith 34:30 Founding Mighty Oaks and Serving Others 38:30 Leadership, Accountability, and Healing Together 42:00 Jeremy's Message to Anyone Feeling Hopeless 45:00 Chuck's Closing Reflections Chuck's Challenge This week, reflect on who you are beyond your roles, titles, or past seasons. If one of those were taken away, what would still remain? Reach out to one trusted person and have an honest conversation about where you're finding your identity right now. You don't have to carry that weight alone. Connect with Jeremy Stalnecker Website: https://www.jeremystalnecker.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremystalnecker/ X: https://x.com/jstalnecker YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JeremyStalnecker Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremystalneckerofficial Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

What if thriving wasn't about having more, but about choosing differently? Rand Selig has spent a lifetime studying growth, leadership, relationships, and what it truly means to live well. With decades of global experience in business, service, and personal development, Rand believes thriving is not accidental. It's the result of intentional choices made over time. This episode explores how self-reflection, forgiveness, resilience, and personal responsibility shape the quality of our lives. Through thoughtful dialogue, Rand Selig and Chuck Thuss unpack why thriving starts with the relationship you have with yourself, how setbacks can become turning points, and what it takes to stop living on autopilot and start authoring your own story. Guest Bio Rand Selig holds an MBA from Stanford and dual undergraduate degrees in mathematics and psychology. For over 35 years, he has led his own financial services firm while living and working across Europe, Asia, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Deeply committed to personal growth, service, and environmental conservation, Rand created Thriving! to help others embrace meaningful, positive change. He lives in Mill Valley, California, with his wife of over four decades and remains actively involved in mentorship, community leadership, and global service.   You'll hear About What it really means to "thrive" in today's world Why the most important relationship you'll ever have is with yourself How forgiveness and letting go free emotional energy Reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth Becoming the author of your own life story   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 02:40 Rand's Background and Global Life Experience 05:20 Defining Thriving and Its Four Core Pillars 08:10 Why Personal Thriving Comes First 11:30 Self-Sabotage, Forgiveness, and Letting Go 15:00 The Power of Personal Choice 18:20 Navigating Setbacks and Building Resilience 22:30 Pain vs. Suffering and Reclaiming Agency 26:00 Becoming the Author of Your Own Story 30:20 Words, Self-Talk, and Emotional Health 34:00 Small Steps Toward Lasting Change 38:00 Rand's Message to Anyone Feeling Stuck 41:30 Where to Find Thriving! and Additional Resources 44:30 Chuck's Closing Reflections Chuck's Challenge This week, identify one area of your life where you've been reacting instead of choosing. Pause and ask yourself, "Is this aligned with the life I want to be living?" Make one intentional choice,  even a small one, that moves you toward thriving rather than defaulting to habit. Connect with Rand Selig Website: https://www.randselig.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rand-selig-43525a6/ Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

Pain has a way of demanding your attention, but it doesn't get to decide who you become. Lyndsay Soprano's life has been shaped by layers of trauma, abuse, chronic illness, and a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, one of the most painful conditions known. Yet instead of letting pain define her, Lyndsay made a conscious decision to give it purpose. This episode explores what it means to reclaim your power when your body hurts, your past weighs heavy, and healing feels overwhelming. Through honesty, humor, and radical gratitude, Lyndsay shares how facing trauma head-on, questioning broken systems, and choosing presence over despair changed everything. Her story is not about fixing pain,  it's about learning how to live fully in spite of it. Guest Bio Lyndsay Soprano is the founder and host of The Pain Game Podcast and a bold advocate in the chronic pain and trauma recovery space. Diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in 2017, Lyndsay is also a survivor of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, infertility, depression, anxiety, and divorce. After years of misdiagnosis and failed treatments, she chose a trauma-informed, integrative approach to healing and turned her lived experience into a platform that helps others feel seen, understood, and less alone. Her guiding belief is simple but uncompromising: the only way out is through.   You'll hear About How early trauma quietly shaped Lyndsay's coping mechanisms Living with CRPS and navigating life in constant physical pain The moment she chose gratitude over despair Why Western medicine alone failed her — and what she did differently Turning pain into purpose through conversation, advocacy, and voice   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 Lyndsay's Early Trauma and Childhood Coping 05:00 Uncovering Repressed Memories and Their Impact 08:00 Living With CRPS and Daily Pain Decisions 12:00 Gratitude as a Survival Skill 15:30 The Night Everything Had to Change 18:30 Reclaiming Power From Medication and Misdiagnosis 22:30 Functional and Integrative Healing Approaches 26:30 Advocacy, Self-Trust, and Taking Control of Care 30:00 Why Pain Does Not Get to Define Identity 33:30 Creating The Pain Game Podcast 37:30 Writing, Forgiveness, and Letting Go 41:00 Lyndsay's Message to Anyone Feeling Hopeless 45:00 Chuck's Closing Reflections Chuck's Challenge This week, notice where pain or frustration is trying to take your power. Pause before reacting. Ask yourself how you can meet that moment with curiosity, compassion, or gratitude instead. Even small shifts can change the entire direction of a day. Connect with Lyndsay Soprano Website: thepaingamepodcast.com Email: talktoher@thepaingamepodcast.com Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time

What happens when danger comes from where you least expect it? Bart Womack dedicated nearly three decades of his life to serving the United States Army, rising to the highest enlisted ranks and leading soldiers in combat, training, and some of the most sacred roles in military service. But one moment forever changed his understanding of trust, leadership, and survival when he became a firsthand survivor of a deadly insider attack carried out by a fellow American soldier. This episode explores the psychological impact of betrayal, the long road to healing after trauma, and how Bart transformed one of the darkest moments of his life into a mission focused on prevention, awareness, and leadership. His story is not just about military service — it's about resilience, responsibility, and choosing purpose after devastation. Guest Bio Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Bart E. Womack served over 29 years in the United States Army, holding elite roles including Drill Sergeant, Ranger Instructor, and Sergeant of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A two-time combat veteran, Bart retired after serving as both Commandant of the 101st Airborne Division Noncommissioned Officers Academy and Command Sergeant Major of the 101st Airborne Division. Following his military career, Bart transitioned into film, consulting, and veteran advocacy, working in Hollywood as a military technical advisor and supporting veterans through education and mentorship. He is the author of Embedded Enemy, which recounts his survival of a deadly insider attack, and he now serves as a speaker and security consultant focused on mitigating insider threats and active shooter incidents. You'll hear About Bart's rise through the Army and leadership at the highest enlisted levels The insider attack that reshaped his understanding of trust and safety The emotional and psychological aftermath of surviving betrayal Turning trauma into advocacy, education, and prevention What leaders must understand about insider threats today Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 02:10 Bart's Early Military Path and Commitment to Service 05:20 Leadership Roles and Life in the 101st Airborne Division 08:30 Combat Experience and the Reality of Trust in Uniform 12:10 The Insider Attack and the Moment Everything Changed 16:30 Surviving Trauma, Shock, and Moral Injury 20:10 Writing Embedded Enemy and Processing the Experience 24:10 From Survivor to Advocate and Educator 27:30 Leadership Lessons for Organizations and Communities 30:30 Bart's Message on Vigilance, Awareness, and Responsibility 33:00 Chuck's Closing Reflections Chuck's Challenge This week, reflect on how you assess trust and awareness in your own environment. Whether at work, school, or in your community, ask yourself what proactive steps can be taken to protect people and create safer spaces without sacrificing humanity or connection. Connect with Bart Womack LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-womack-28170417/ Link to book to purchase book on Amazon  Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

What if the life you worked so hard to build still left you feeling empty? Host Chuck Thuss guides this conversation with Jerry Dale, whose life has spanned the heights of the music industry and the adult entertainment world behind closed doors. Jerry experienced success, access, and influence — and the quiet disconnection that followed when identity became tied to achievement. Together, they explore the internal conflict of living misaligned with your values, the wake-up calls that force you to slow down, and the moment Jerry chose a different path. This episode isn't about perfection or quick fixes. It's about honesty, reckoning, and what happens when you stop running from the truth and choose peace instead. Guest Bio Jerry Dale is a former music industry executive and adult entertainment promoter whose life spanned two high-profile worlds before taking a dramatic turn toward faith and service. After decades working with major artists and navigating industries that left him feeling empty, Jerry rededicated his life to Christ and now uses his story to help others find hope, purpose, and redemption. He is the author of Music, Porn, and Jesus, a candid account of his journey through success, struggle, and spiritual awakening.   You'll hear About Life behind the scenes in the music industry during its peak years How success, power, and access slowly led to emptiness The transition into the adult entertainment industry and its hidden toll Health crises and wake-up calls that forced Jerry to confront his life What surrender, faith, and purpose look like today   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:15 Jerry's Early Life and Entry Into Entertainment 03:45 Inside the Music Industry and Working With Major Artists 07:00 The Lifestyle, Pressure, and Personal Cost of Success 10:30 Transitioning Into the Adult Entertainment World 14:00 Moral Conflict, Compartmentalization, and Inner Struggle 18:00 Health Crises and a Series of Wake-Up Calls 21:30 The Difficulty of Walking Away From a Powerful Lifestyle 25:00 Faith, Surrender, and Redefining Purpose 28:30 Life Today and Finding Peace Beyond Success 32:00 Jerry's Message to Anyone Feeling Stuck or Empty Chuck's Challenge This week, take five quiet minutes to reflect. Ask yourself when a current struggle first began and what was happening in your life at that time. Approach the answer with curiosity, not judgment. Healing starts with awareness and self-compassion.   Connect with Jerry Dale Website:https://www.iamjerrydale.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifecoachjerry/ Instagram: @jerry_dale_   Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.  

In this episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Anthony Dyer for an honest, deeply human conversation about military service, accumulated trauma, identity loss, addiction, and the long road to healing. Anthony shares his 21-year career in the United States Air Force, including high-risk missions, elite rescue operations, and the emotional weight that followed him home long after the uniform came off. From the quiet moments that haunt servicemen and women to the stigma around asking for help, Anthony opens up about how suppressed trauma and alcohol nearly cost him everything. What followed was a turning point shaped by accountability, faith, community, and the courage to finally take a knee and heal. This episode is a reminder that healing is not weakness, identity can be rebuilt, and no matter how dark the night gets, you are never out of the fight. Guest Bio Anthony Dyer is a retired United States Air Force veteran with 21 years of service, including elite roles in combat search and rescue, special operations, and aerial gunship missions. A recipient of the Air Force's Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year, Anthony experienced firsthand the cumulative trauma that often follows long military careers. Today, he is a mental health advocate, author of Moonchild, and a voice for veterans navigating trauma, addiction recovery, identity loss, and life after service. You'll hear About The hidden emotional cost of elite military missions and long-term service Why trauma compounds when it is suppressed instead of addressed How alcohol became a coping mechanism and the ultimatum that changed everything Losing identity after military retirement and rebuilding purpose Why community, vulnerability, and telling your story can save lives   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 Anthony's Path Into the United States Air Force 04:30 Life-Changing Missions and Learning "Service Before Self" 07:20 The Trauma Civilians Rarely See 10:00 Suppression, Stigma, and Masking Mental Health Struggles 12:40 Alcohol, Identity Loss, and Hitting a Breaking Point 15:20 The Ultimatum That Forced a Choice 17:10 Transitioning Out of the Military and Losing Purpose 19:30 Why Veterans Feel Isolated After Service 21:50 Writing Moonchild and Facing the Accountability Mirror 24:20 Healing Through Storytelling and Community 26:20 Life Today: Fatherhood, Recovery, and Perspective 28:10 Anthony's Message to Veterans Who Are Struggling 30:00 Chuck's Reflections and Episode Closing Chuck's Challenge This week, ask someone a deeper question. Not "How are you doing?" but "How are you really feeling?" Listen without trying to fix anything. Presence, curiosity, and care can make all the difference.   Connect with Anthony Dyer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marco_brolo21/ X: https://x.com/anthonyp_dyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Moon-Child-61574988895222/   Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Dr. Brian Alman for a deeply insightful conversation about trauma, self-acceptance, and what it truly takes to heal unresolved pain. Drawing from decades of clinical work and research, Dr. Alman explains why so many people struggle despite "doing everything right" and how trauma often sits at the root of emotional, physical, and relational challenges. From childhood neglect and adverse experiences to adult stressors like loss, divorce, and identity struggles, this episode offers clarity, hope, and practical tools for anyone who feels stuck. Dr. Alman shares why healing does not have to take years, how safety and unconditional acceptance create transformation, and how reconnecting with your inner wisdom can change everything. This is a powerful, grounding conversation for anyone ready to stop carrying what no longer serves them. Guest Bio Dr. Brian Alman is a leading authority on healing trauma by accessing the unconscious mind. With over 25 years of experience helping tens of thousands of people worldwide, his evidence-based approach has become a trusted solution for those who have "tried everything" without success. As the treatment solutions expert for the landmark ACE Study alongside Dr. Vincent Felitti, Dr. Alman bridges the gap between understanding trauma and providing practical, effective healing tools. He is the author of 14 books, including Less Stress Now and Less Stress for Kids, and his work has helped reduce medical visits, improve mental health outcomes, and transform lives across the globe.   You'll hear About Why unresolved trauma is often the root of mental and physical health struggles The ACE Study and how childhood experiences shape adult well-being How trauma shows up in addiction, performance, relationships, and self-worth Why safety, vulnerability, and unconditional acceptance are essential for healing Practical first steps to begin resolving trauma and reconnecting with inner wisdom   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 02:00 What Drew Dr. Alman Into Trauma Healing Work 05:30 The ACE Study and Why People Weren't Getting Better 09:10 The Wide Range of Trauma Most People Don't Recognize 13:30 Why Repressing Trauma Leads to Long-Term Struggles 17:00 Trauma's Impact on Health, Performance, and Relationships 21:10 Creating Emotional Safety and Trust for Healing 26:00 The Power of Unconditional Self-Acceptance 30:10 Trauma, Social Conditioning, and "Suck It Up" Culture 34:00 Why Healing Is a Journey, Not a Destination 38:20 Simple First Steps to Begin Healing Today 41:30 Resources, Tools, and Dr. Alman's Free Self-Acceptance Process 45:00 Dr. Alman's Message to Anyone Feeling Stuck or Hopeless 47:30 Chuck's Closing Reflections Chuck's Challenge This week, take five quiet minutes to reflect. Ask yourself when a current struggle first began and what was happening in your life at that time. Approach the answer with curiosity, not judgment. Healing starts with awareness and self-compassion.   Connect with Dr. Brian Alman Website: https://drbrianalman.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrianalman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrBrianAlman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralman/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrBrianAlman   Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Charles Van Kessler for a deeply moving conversation about survival, faith, resilience, and purpose. Born in Amsterdam during World War II, Charles survived the horrors of the Holocaust, losing his family, enduring abuse in a state-run orphanage, and spending years alone on the streets as a child. Against all odds, Charles's life became a story of hope. Through faith, perseverance, and an unshakable belief that his life had meaning, he found his way to America, rebuilt his life, and devoted himself to helping others live healthier, more empowered lives. At 84 years old, Charles shares wisdom forged through unimaginable hardship and a lifetime of service. This is an episode about the darkest chapters of history, the power of faith during despair, and what it truly means to keep going when everything has been taken from you. Guest Bio Charles Van Kessler was born in Amsterdam during World War II and survived the horrors of the Holocaust. After losing his family and enduring abuse, homelessness, and deep emotional pain as a child, Charles rebuilt his life through faith, resilience, and a commitment to helping others. Today, alongside his wife Linda, he is the founder of Passion 4 Health and Passion 4 K.I.D.S., organizations dedicated to improving health and supporting abused, neglected, and disabled children. Charles's life is a testament to perseverance, purpose, and the power of giving back.   You'll hear About Charles's childhood during World War II and surviving the Holocaust Life inside a state-run orphanage and years spent alone on the streets How faith helped him survive suicidal thoughts and unimaginable loss His journey to America and rebuilding life from nothing Turning pain into purpose through health innovation and children's charities   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:40 Charles's Birth During World War II and Family Separation 04:10 Life in a State-Run Orphanage and Childhood Abuse 06:45 Living on the Streets and Surviving Alone as a Child 09:20 Faith, Prayer, and Making a Deal With God 12:10 Loss of Family and Choosing Not to Live in the Past 14:40 Returning to the Netherlands and Reflecting on History 16:50 Coming to America and Starting Over From Nothing 19:10 Suicidal Thoughts and Finding Strength Through Faith 21:30 Discovering Nutrition and Creating a Liquid Vitamin 24:00 Turning Success Into Service Through Children's Charities 26:45 Helping Families, Orphans, and Disabled Children 29:00 Charles's Message to Anyone Struggling in the Dark 31:10 Chuck's Reflections and Episode Closing Chuck's Challenge This week, if you're feeling lost or overwhelmed, pause and reflect. Speak openly from your heart, ask for guidance, and trust that your story is not finished. Even in the darkest moments, purpose can still be unfolding.   Connect with Charles Van Kessler Website: https://passion4lifevitamins.com Passion 4 kids: https://passion4kids.com/   Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked   Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.  

In this episode, Chuck Thuss welcomes former Team USA bobsledder William Person for a raw and deeply revealing conversation about life after elite sport, the hidden toll of repeated head trauma, and the unexpected therapy that helped pull him back from the brink. William spent nine seasons competing at the highest level, enduring extreme G-forces, repeated impacts, and the emotional strain that so many athletes carry in silence. When the symptoms of CTE began to take over his life, William found himself in a dark, isolated spiral — until one piece of information, and one unexpected influence, helped him turn everything around. His comeback is nothing short of remarkable, and it is now fueling a mission to help veterans, athletes, and everyday people find relief and hope. Guest Bio William Person is a former nine-year Team USA Bobsled athlete whose career left him battling the devastating effects of CTE. At his lowest point, he was unable to function, lost in confusion, depression, and cognitive decline. Everything changed when he discovered Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, which restored clarity, color, and hope back into his life. Today, William is dedicated to raising awareness about brain injury in sports and the military, and he is working to launch a nonprofit CTE Recovery Center to provide healing support for athletes and veterans at no cost. You'll hear About The extreme G-forces and crashes that contributed to William's head trauma The silent suffering many athletes experience long after retirement How his symptoms escalated into cognitive decline, depression, and hopelessness The discovery of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and why it changed everything His mission to help veterans and athletes access life-saving care Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:26 How Joe Namath's Story Helped Spark William's Recovery 03:19 From Track Athlete to Team USA Bobsledder 05:29 What Life Is Really Like Inside a Bobsled 06:54 Understanding G-Forces and the Hidden Toll on the Brain 09:05 Crashes, Head Trauma, and Silent Suffering 11:01 The Symptoms: Fog, Memory Loss, Depression, and Confusion 13:53 Hitting Rock Bottom and Praying for Relief 16:50 The Article That Changed Everything 20:15 Discovering Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Immediate Results 23:23 Managing Symptoms, Daily Challenges, and Misunderstood Concussions 26:25 William's Mission to Create the American Post-Concussion Wellness Center 29:07 Why Veterans and Athletes Desperately Need Better Support 32:21 The Larger Crisis: CTE, Suicides, and Unseen Struggles 35:48 William's Message to Anyone Feeling Hopeless 37:50 Chuck's Closing Reflections Chuck's Challenge This week, check in on someone who may be struggling behind the scenes. A teammate, a veteran, a friend, or even a family member. Ask the question, listen without judgment, and let them know they're not alone. Your courage to reach out might be the lifeline they need. Connect with William Person Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/one.man.with.a.chamber.hbot?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.facebook.com/william.person.792233 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-person-4072b417/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@braininjurysurvival?si=KfTK-iFXlhLORgQC Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hyperbarichealing?_t=ZT-8zD0dNeEvPi&_r=1   Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Mary Beth O'Connor for a candid, eye-opening conversation about survival, healing, and long-term recovery. After surviving a childhood marked by emotional neglect and severe abuse, Mary Beth fell into addiction at just twelve years old — eventually becoming a daily meth user by her teens. But her story didn't end there. Through determination, trauma therapy, and a recovery path she crafted for herself, Mary Beth rose from years of substance use disorder to graduating from Berkeley Law and ultimately serving as a federal administrative law judge. Her transformation is breathtaking, inspiring, and proof that healing is not only possible, but life-changing. If you've ever wondered whether you're too far gone to rebuild your life, this episode is the reminder that it is never too late. Guest Bio Mary Beth O'Connor is the author of From Junkie to Judge and a nationally recognized advocate for trauma-informed, individualized addiction recovery. After surviving years of abuse and developing a meth addiction in her teens, Mary Beth rebuilt her life through therapy, alternative recovery programs, and perseverance. She went on to graduate from Berkeley Law, build a successful legal career, and ultimately serve as a federal administrative law judge. Today she writes, speaks, and mentors others seeking hope and personalized recovery paths.   You'll hear About The childhood trauma and instability that planted the seeds for addiction How early drug use escalated into a decade-long meth dependency Why personalized recovery — not one-size-fits-all — saved her life The slow, steady climb from rock bottom to law school and beyond How Mary Beth became a federal judge and an advocate for trauma-informed recovery Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:27 Mary Beth's Early Life and Emotional Neglect 03:29 Caring for Her Sister and Growing Up Too Soon 05:01 Early Signs of Anxiety and Emotional Distress 06:15 Moving in with Her Stepfather and Escalating Abuse 07:55 Violence, Chaos, and the Impact of Trauma 09:54 Learning to Survive an Unpredictable Environment 11:01 First Exposure to Alcohol at Age Twelve 12:43 Progression to Weed, Pills, Acid, and Meth 14:30 Trauma, Mental Health, and the Root Causes of Addiction 16:26 Why Meth Became Her Drug of Choice 17:44 Addiction Through College and Early Adulthood 19:33 The Slow, Cumulative Bottom That Forced Her to Seek Help 21:15 Rehab, Ambivalence, and Why 12-Step Didn't Fit 23:17 Discovering Alternatives and Building Her Own Recovery Plan 25:23 Treating Trauma and Co-Occurring PTSD 27:26 How Treatment Systems Fail Without Individualized Care 29:30 Asking the Right Question: "Why Am I Using?" 31:37 Mindful Drinking, Harm Reduction, and Dry January 33:47 Rebuilding Her Life From the Ground Up 35:44 Graduating From Berkeley Law and Becoming a Judge 37:09 Life Today: Writing, Speaking, and Advocacy 38:53 About Her Memoir From Junkie to Judge 40:51 Her Message to Anyone Who Believes Recovery Isn't Possible 43:03 Chuck's Closing Reflections Chuck's Challenge This week, look beneath the surface. Choose one area of your life where you've been reacting instead of understanding the root cause. Slow down, get curious, and take one small step to address what's really going on — not just the symptom.   Connect with Mary Beth O'Connor Website: http://junkietojudge.com/ X: https://x.com/MaryBethO_/with_replies Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-beth-o-connor-8aaa4b121/ Bluesky: https://blueskydirectory.com/profiles/marybethoconnor.bsky.social   Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this powerful episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Ryan Merket, a former underground hacker turned Silicon Valley tech leader, author, angel investor, and man of deep faith. Ryan's journey is one of addiction, depression, betrayal, healing, and a spiritual awakening that transformed his entire life. From early bullying and hiding behind a computer screen, to running international piracy groups, to spiraling into addiction, to being pushed out of his own startup, Ryan's redemption story is raw, inspiring, and filled with hope. Today he works at Microsoft helping founders build world-changing companies while openly sharing how faith and mental health practices saved his life. If you're seeking a story of resilience, honesty, and the courage to rebuild, this episode will move you deeply. Guest Bio Ryan Merket is a two-time founder with successful exits and a veteran of Facebook, Reddit, and Amazon. But behind the resume is a raw and honest story of addiction, anxiety, depression, betrayal, and a health crisis that forced him to confront the real cost of ambition. His memoir, Hacker's Edge, chronicles his journey from the digital underground to rebuilding his life through faith, healing, and resilience. Today, Ryan shares openly about what it truly means to be a warrior, not just in business, but in the fight for your own life.   You'll hear About How childhood bullying pushed Ryan into the digital underground The addiction spiral that nearly took his life The betrayal of being forced out of his own startup The health crisis that became a turning point How faith, healing, and mental health practices rebuilt his life   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:10 Ryan's Early Life and the Mask He Wore 02:14 Bullying, Isolation, and Turning to Computers 04:39 Building Underground Piracy Networks 07:01 Addiction, Rock Bottom, and a Life-Changing Intervention 09:23 Moving Home and Starting the Healing Process 11:51 Faith, Church, and Mentorship Redirect His Life 13:50 College Years, Reinvention, and New Identity 16:41 Mental Health, Family History, and Ongoing Struggles 18:49 The Health Crisis That Changed Everything 20:53 Supplements, Lifestyle Changes, and Overcoming AFib 23:36 Meditation, Prayer, and Spiritual Grounding 26:07 Startup Journey, Betrayal, and Walking Away on Faith 28:30 Life Today at Microsoft and Investing in Founders 30:53 Writing Hacker's Edge and Helping the Next Generation 33:20 A Message of Hope for Anyone in Darkness 35:42 Chuck's Closing Reflections Chuck's Challenge This week, take one step toward the version of you that God is calling forward. Put something down that is hurting you. Pick something up that is healing you. Lean into faith, even for a moment, and trust that you are not walking this journey alone. Connect with Ryan Merket Websites: http://ryanmerket.com/ https://hackersedgebook.com http://comalventures.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ryanmerket Facebook:https://facebook.com/merket Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merket   Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this inspiring episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Adrienne Caldwell — a survivor, author, and advocate whose journey proves that even the darkest beginnings can lead to a life filled with purpose, peace, and hope. Adrienne opens up about a childhood marked by trauma and instability, but also the powerful turning point that set her on a path toward healing, rebuilding, and reclaiming her voice. Today, she uses her story to help others feel seen, supported, and empowered in their own healing. This conversation is emotional, courageous, and ultimately uplifting — a reminder that no matter what you've been through, it's never too late to rise, heal, and write a new chapter. Guest Bio Adrienne Caldwell is the author of the forthcoming memoir Unbroken: Life Outside the Lines — a raw and unflinching account of her journey through trauma, survival, and ultimately, healing. The book sheds light on the darkest corners of the human experience, including untreated mental illness, homelessness, foster care abuse, incest, addiction, and sexual violence, and emerges with a message of fierce resilience and unbreakable hope. More than a chronicle of pain, Unbroken is a story of identity, family, love, and finding your voice when the world refuses to listen. It's about reclaiming power and choosing purpose over despair. You'll hear About The childhood trauma that shaped Adrienne's early life How repression, addiction, and self-medicating became survival tools The moment that changed her healing journey How writing her book forced her to face decades of buried trauma Finding peace, stability, and purpose after a lifetime of hardship   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:10 Adrienne's Mission and Early Life 02:14 Trauma Beginning at Age Five 04:39 Suicide Attempts and a Life-Changing Moment 07:01 Growing Up with Mental Illness in the Home 09:23 Moving Homes, Instability, and Emotional Repression 11:51 Attachment Disorder and Numbing the Pain 13:50 The Psychiatric Ward Epiphany 16:41 Discovering the Truth in Her CPS Files 18:49 Emotional Abuse in Foster Care 20:53 Beginning the Writing and Healing Process 23:36 Overcoming Grief, Loss, and Hardship 26:07 Family Patterns and Lack of Awareness 28:30 Gratitude, Stability, and a New Life 30:53 Living with Purpose and Inspiring Others 33:20 A Message to Anyone Who Feels Hopeless 35:42 Chuck's Closing Reflections Chuck's Challenge This week, take one honest step toward facing something you've been avoiding. Stop the numbing, stop the running, and give yourself permission to feel what needs healing. You don't have to do it alone — just start with one step. Connect with Adriene Caldwell Book: https://www.unbrokencaldwell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UnbrokenCaldwell Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/UnbrokenCaldwell/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnbrokenCaldwel/ Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, host Chuck Thuss welcomes former Navy SEAL David Brown. David shares his journey from a challenging upbringing in Wilkesboro, Pennsylvania, to becoming a Navy SEAL despite his small stature and initial skepticism from others. Throughout the conversation, David discusses the lessons learned from persistent bullying, the importance of resilience, and never letting adversity define him. He also delves into his transition from military life to federal law enforcement and personal battles, including a tough period marked by divorce and personal loss. Despite these challenges, David emphasizes the importance of perseverance, mental fortitude, and seeking help when needed. He is also an author and speaks about his book and an upcoming project. David's story is a testament to the power of determination and a positive mindset in overcoming life's toughest obstacles. Guest Bio David W. Brown is a former Navy SEAL and federal special agent whose career spans more than three decades of military and public service. After graduating BUD/S with Class 115, he served with UDT-21 and SEAL Team 4 before transitioning to NCIS and later holding senior leadership roles with the EPA and the Department of the Interior. Now retired as a Senior Executive, David continues to share his story of resilience while advocating for public safety in Sanford, Florida. You'll hear About How childhood adversity shaped David's resilience The mindset that carried him through Navy SEAL training Hitting rock bottom and rebuilding his life Learning to ask for help and the power of vulnerability How to access courage when life feels impossible Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Gratitude 01:13 Early Life and Challenges 02:33 Developing Resilience 04:08 Overcoming Bullying 06:08 Joining the Navy 08:44 Becoming a Navy SEAL 14:13 Facing Adversity in Training 16:53 Life in the SEAL Teams 18:49 Post-Military Life 19:19 Adventures with SEAL Team 19:54 Transition to Federal Agent 20:53 Personal Life Struggles 21:55 Hitting Rock Bottom 23:19 Climbing Back Up 23:36 Finding Happiness and Success 29:11 Mental Health and Seeking Help 33:02 Current Life and Future Plans 38:18 Final Words of Encouragement Chuck's Challenge This week, when things feel tough, don't think about the whole road ahead. Just win the next few seconds. Take a breath, take one step forward, and keep going. You're stronger than you think. Connect with David Brown Website: https://www.udtdave.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/udtdave/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLittlestSEAL X: https://www.facebook.com/TheLittlestSEAL Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this deeply moving episode of Warriors Unmasked, host Chuck Thuss welcomes Mark Tilsher, a 21-year Air Force veteran and founder of the Military Sherpa movement. Mark shares his transformative journey from a troubled childhood, marked by constant upheaval and exposure to a negative culture, to finding a lifeline in the U.S. Air Force. Despite initial disciplinary struggles, the mentorship of a new supervisor helped him alter his path. Mark candidly discusses his mental health challenges, including a two-year battle with suicidal ideations following his transition to civilian life. He attributes his survival and ongoing resilience to the unwavering support of his wife. Now, through the Military Sherpa movement, Mark aims to help active military personnel and veterans develop the skills they need to avoid the pitfalls he once faced, ultimately striving to reduce the alarming rates of veteran suicides and divorces. This episode serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, mentorship, and the critical importance of mental health support. Guest Bio Mark Tilsher, a 21-year Air Force veteran, has dedicated his career to developing resilient leaders across military, corporate, and community settings. He's served on four continents, led leadership initiatives for the U.S. Congress, and now runs the Military SherpaMovement, helping leaders navigate the challenges of service and performance. You'll hear About Mark's journey from a troubled childhood to a 21-year Air Force career The mentorship that changed his life and shaped his leadership philosophy His battle with mental health and the importance of seeking help The role of family and connection in overcoming life's darkest moments Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Warriors Unmasked 01:10 Mark's Military Journey Begins 02:03 A Troubled Youth 04:57 Turning Point in the Air Force 11:09 The Power of Kindness 17:02 Struggles with Mental Health 27:46 Realizing the Problem Within 29:56 The Role of Support Systems in Military Life 31:43 Challenges Faced by Military Members 35:28 Mental Health in the Military 37:38 The Birth of the Military Sherpa Movement 43:34 Balancing Personal Life and Service 47:45 Words of Encouragement and Final Thoughts Chuck's Challenge This week, focus on kindness and service. Look for simple ways to lift others up and make a difference, because every act of kindness creates a ripple of impact. Connect with Mark Tilsher Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktilsher/ Podcast: https://www.marktilsher.com/home-page Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.  

In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck welcomes Marcia Earhart, a certified life, grief, and trauma coach, along with being a trained educator and mental health first responder. The deeply personal and emotional interview reveals Marcia's arduous journey through chronic illness, the loss of loved ones including her two sons, and how she found healing and purpose through her faith. Discussing her roles as a mother, wife, and coach, Marcia elaborates on the importance of trust, surrender, and abiding in God's presence. Her ministry, the Sterling Rose Sanctuary, and her book 'Gripping Grace in The Garden of Grief' aim to help others navigate their own pain and find solace in divine love. This episode is a profound testament to resilience, spiritual growth, and eternal hope despite life's darkest trials. You'll Hear About Marcia's journey through loss, illness, and unwavering faith How grief became a pathway to purpose and healing The founding of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary and its mission of hope Lessons from her book Gripping Grace in the Garden of Grief Finding peace through surrender, trust, and divine grace Guest Bio Marcia Earhart is a certified life, grief, and trauma coach, mediator, and Heartsync minister with over 30 years of experience helping others heal. After losing her two sons, Sterling and Marc, she founded The Sterling Rose Sanctuary, a nonprofit offering hope and healing to those facing grief and trauma. Marcia is also the author of Gripping Grace in the Garden of Grief: A Place for the Heart (2025), where she shares her journey of faith, loss, and renewal. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:25 Marcia's Journey: Love, Illness, and Faith 02:55 Adoption and Family Challenges 04:39 The Power of Faith and Trust in God 10:49 Discovering the Cause of Illness 14:51 Embracing the Healing Process 23:18 Coping with Loss and Grief 28:48 Finding Strength and Purpose 38:28 Marcia's Mission: Helping Others Heal 42:22 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Chuck's Challenge This week, focus on trusting God's plan. Lean in, let go of control, and have faith that everything is unfolding exactly as it should. Connect with Marcia Earhart Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcia-earhart-the-sterling-rose-sanctuary-943a8410b/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesterlingrosesanctuary/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSRS21/   Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck interviews Ryan Woodruff, the CEO of Clear Path for Veterans. Woodruff shares his journey from enlisting in the military right out of high school to coping with the trauma of combat and transitioning to civilian life. He details how he found a new sense of identity and purpose by joining ClearPath for Veterans. He highlights the challenges veterans face, the importance of community, and the transformative power of the human-animal bond through ClearPath's canine program. The episode sheds light on the multidimensional support provided to veterans and underscores the parallels between military and athletic cultures in terms of dealing with trauma and mental health. Woodruff also shares advice for veterans struggling to find their way post-service, emphasizing the importance of seeking help, staying connected, and starting small on the path to wellness. You'll Hear About Ryan's journey from U.S. Marine to CEO of Clear Path for Veterans The challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life How the human-animal bond supports healing and purpose The mission and impact of Clear Path's veteran programs Practical advice for veterans seeking wellness, connection, and community Guest Bio Ryan Woodruff is the CEO of Clear Path for Veterans, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and a certified professional dog trainer. After serving two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Ryan discovered his passion for helping veterans through canine companionship. He now leads Clear Path's nationally accredited programs, empowering veterans and their families through connection, purpose, and service. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:04 Ryan's Military Journey and Transition 01:42 Joining Clear Path for Veterans 06:42 Challenges and Trauma in the Military 16:10 Transitioning to Civilian Life 20:17 Clear Path's Programs and Services 36:21 Personal Wellness and Final Thoughts Chuck's Challenge This week, focus on dedication, to your own well-being and to serving others. When you take care of yourself, you're better equipped to make an impact in the lives around you. Connect with Ryan Woodruff Website: https://www.clearpath4vets.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearpath4vets Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearPathForVeterans Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, host Chuck welcomes Dr. Tony Dice, a Navy SEAL veteran, therapist, paramedic, and author, to discuss his incredible life journey. Dr. Dice shares his experiences growing up, his drive to join the military, and his struggles with addiction post-service. He reflects on the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life, his battles with substance abuse, and the key moments that led him to seek help and ultimately achieve sobriety. Dr. Dice elaborates on his holistic change model and his current efforts to support veterans, first responders, and law enforcement through his company, Bishop and Dice Defense. He emphasizes the importance of connection in overcoming addiction and offers heartfelt advice to those still struggling. Discover Dr. Dice's inspiring story of transformation and service in this compelling episode. You'll Hear About Dr. Tony Dice's journey from Navy SEAL to therapist and recovery advocate The battles of addiction, recovery, and rebuilding after hitting rock bottom How vulnerability and connection became his keys to healing The creation of his Holistic Change Model for veterans and first responders Guest Bio Dr. Tony Dice is the CEO of Bishop & Dice Defense LLC, empowering veterans, law enforcement, and first responders through tactical and mental health training. A former Navy SEAL, therapist, and firefighter, he's lived both chaos and transformation, overcoming addiction to rebuild his life on truth and service. His memoir, After the Trident, shares his journey and the Holistic Change Model he created to help others heal and thrive. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:52 Dr. Tony Dice's Early Life and Military Inspiration 03:07 Journey to Becoming a Navy SEAL 05:29 The Price of Service and Transition Challenges 10:51 Struggles with Addiction and Recklessness 17:24 Hitting Rock Bottom 19:06 A Turning Point: Realizing the Need for Change 20:03 First Days in Rehab: Struggles and Realizations 20:48 The Fight to Stay in Rehab 22:33 Embracing Vulnerability and Connection 27:17 Life After Rehab: Achievements and Reflections 37:38 A Message of Hope and Connection   Chuck's Challenge This week, focus on discipline and connection. Strengthen your daily habits and lean into your support system, because real growth happens when consistency meets community.   Connect with Dr. Tony Dice Website: https://bishopdicedefense.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.dice.5 Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this episode, purpose-driven entrepreneur and visionary leader Garr Russell, founder and CEO of Fireside RV Rental, joins the show to share his powerful journey. From experiencing a life-altering moment in his youth, grappling with identity issues, and falling into drugs and crime, Garr recounts his radical transformation through faith. He discusses the pivotal moments that led to his redemption, his steadfast hope, and the role faith played in overcoming personal and entrepreneurial challenges. Garr also shares insights from his books, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God, finding one's true identity, and the profound impact of surrendering to a higher power. You'll Hear About Garr's powerful transformation from addiction and adversity to faith and freedom How surrendering to God's plan can lead to true purpose and redemption The lessons behind his books My His-Story and My Wheel Estate Story Overcoming fear and doubt through unwavering faith Guest Bio Garr Russell is a faith-driven entrepreneur, author, husband, and father of four. As the founder of Fireside RV Rental and owner of Gladys' Restaurant, he helps families and entrepreneurs find freedom through faith and purpose. Author of My His-Story and My Wheel Estate Story, Garr shares his journey of overcoming adversity and trusting God's timing to inspire others to step boldly into their calling and turn setbacks into setups. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Garr Russell's Journey 01:07 Early Entrepreneurial Spirit and Family Influence 03:04 Overcoming Lies and Finding Truth 05:30 Struggles and Redemption 09:23 Faith and Boldness in Adversity 10:49 The Power of Hope and Transformation 15:12 Living with Purpose and Sharing Faith 29:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Chuck's Challenge This week, take a page from Garr Russell's playbook, strengthen your faith. Whether it's in yourself, others, or a higher power, lean into trust where doubt has been holding you back. Notice how your life begins to shift when faith replaces fear. Connect with Garr My-History Book: https://myhisstory.com/ My Wheel Estate Story Book: https://mywheelestatestory.com/ Company Website: www.firesidervental.com  www.firesidervrentalfranchise.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrrussell/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garr.russell Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, Brett Kramer shares her journey of merging her passions for sports and mental health into her role as the Director of 'Kicking the Stigma' with the Indianapolis Colts. Brett discusses her personal experiences with anxiety as a student-athlete at Michigan State, the pressures faced by today's athletes, and the critical importance of addressing mental health in sports. She provides insights into the work being done to reduce stigma, the financial pressures on athletes, and the necessity of asking genuine questions about well-being. This episode is a valuable conversation for families, athletes, and anyone involved in sports looking to support mental health and performance. You'll Hear About Brett's journey from student-athlete to Director of Kicking the Stigma with the Indianapolis Colts The mental health challenges athletes face both on and off the field How open conversations can reduce stigma and create real change The pressures of youth and college sports, and advice for parents supporting their athletes Why mental health is just as vital to performance as physical training Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:11 Brett Kramer's Journey to the Colts 01:38 Combining Passions: Sports and Mental Health 05:21 High School Athletic Experience 07:57 College Challenges and Mental Health 14:55 Parental Pressure and Youth Sports 20:32 Advice for Parents and Athletes 27:16 Identity Beyond Athletics 28:14 Reflecting on Identity Beyond Sports 29:47 Managing Mental Health in College Athletics 32:09 The Struggle with Performance Anxiety 34:39 The Intersection of Mental Health and Performance 44:44 Kicking the Stigma: Mental Health Initiatives 50:32 Advice for Supporting Young Athletes Chuck's Challenge: Who around you might be suffering in silence? Whether it's a colleague, a friend, or even yourself — reach out. This week, show someone that mental health matters by checking in, offering support, or simply listening. Connect with Brett: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brettkramer07/?hl=en X: https://x.com/brettkramer_07?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickingthestigma/?hl=en X: https://x.com/kickingstigma?lang=en Connect with Chuck: Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

This week on Warriors Unmasked, Julio Angel Rivera, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Japanese Jiu Jitsu black belt, World Master Champion, author, and founder of Internal Jiu Jitsu, shares his incredible journey from witnessing trauma as a child to building a life of healing, mindfulness, and purpose. At eight years old, Julio witnessed a murder that changed his life forever. What followed were decades of suppressed pain, anger, and depression, until he found his path through therapy, writing, bodybuilding, and the discipline of martial arts. Through his philosophy of Internal Jiu Jitsu, Julio shows how we can channel resistance into growth and find peace in the midst of chaos. You'll hear about: How a childhood trauma shaped Julio's mental health journey The healing power of movement, writing, and community Why facing pain requires faith, and why asking for help is the first step to strength The connection between martial arts and mindfulness and how stillness can quiet a racing mind Julio's two books (Broke Down Sensei and Internal Jiu Jitsu) and his mission to empower others through mental health awareness Whether you're fighting battles on the mat or in your mind, Julio's story is a powerful reminder that healing takes courage, community, and the willingness to “just give it another day.” Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: From Trauma to Triumph 02:15 – Growing Up in the Bronx: The Early Years 05:45 – Addiction, Incarceration & Military Life 09:30 – Finding Recovery Through Peer Support 13:10 – The Power of Storytelling in Mental Health 16:20 – Building Mental Health First Aid USA 20:00 – National Advocacy and White House Influence 23:30 – Challenges of Behavioral Health Policy 27:15 – Leading with Lived Experience 30:00 – Faith, Leadership, and Family 34:15 – Julio's Advice to Aspiring Changemakers 37:20 – Chuck's Challenge: Reclaiming Your Power Through Service   Chuck's Challenge: When life feels too heavy, pause and breathe. Tell yourself to just give it one more day and take one step forward. Sometimes that's the bravest move you can make. Connect with Julio Rivera: Website: Internal Jiu Jitsu Instagram: @InternalJiuJitsu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/internaljiujitsu/ Medium: @‌julioangelrivera1 YouTube: Internal Jiu Jitsu   Connect with Chuck: Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.  

This week on Warriors Unmasked, Dr. Christine Silverstein,  Peak Performance Coach, registered nurse, hypnotherapist, and author joins Chuck to explore the powerful connection between mental health and mental performance. With decades of experience helping athletes, students, and professionals, Dr. Silverstein specializes in working with children, teens, and adults, offering her transformative program Winning Ways for Teens. Through her unique approach to mindful toughness, she equips people of all ages to heal from trauma, strengthen resilience, and perform at their highest potential. From stories of Olympians like Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin to her own childhood skating victory and deeply personal experiences of overcoming trauma, Dr. Silverstein shows how the mind can either hold us back or launch us forward.  You'll hear about: Why mental health and performance are inseparable How trauma and the “recency effect” can sabotage even elite athletes The origin of mindful toughness and how it shifts stigma into strength Dr. Silverstein's powerful personal journey of healing childhood trauma Practical techniques anyone can use to build confidence, resilience, and performance Whether you're an athlete, parent, or professional striving to show up fully, this episode is packed with wisdom to help you heal, grow, and perform at your best. Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome & Intro: Chuck introduces the theme of mental health and performance 02:00 – Mental Health vs. Mental Performance: Dr. Silverstein explains why they can't be separated 03:30 – From “Mental Toughness” to “Mindful Toughness”: Reframing the stigma 05:00 – Olympic Stories: Simone Biles, Mikaela Shiffrin, and the recency effect 10:00 – Childhood Lessons: Roller skating race and discovering inner strength 15:00 – Fear, Imagination, and Performance: How mindset shapes outcomes 17:00 – Defining Mental Health: Beyond diagnoses and stigma 22:00 – Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): How early trauma affects performance 23:30 – Personal Story: Dr. Silverstein's eye surgery trauma and healing journey 30:00 – Helping Teens Heal: Wrestling stories and mindful toughness techniques 34:00 – Writing Wrestling Through Adversity: Why she wrote the book 37:30 – Mindful Toughness Tools: Practical skills in the book 40:00 – Hope and Healing for All: Final words of encouragement Chuck's Challenge: Reflect on an old wound or challenge that might still shape how you show up today. Take one small, intentional step this week to begin healing it. Connect with Dr. Christine Silverstein: Website: drchristinesilverstein.com Website: idealperformance.net LinkedIn: Dr. Christine Silverstein Connect with Chuck: Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this powerful milestone episode, Chuck sits down with Evan Jarschauer, a licensed psychotherapist and nationally recognized mental health interventionist who's been on the frontlines of crisis for over two decades. From Las Vegas casinos and street corners in Detroit to celebrity homes in Calabasas, Evan shares what it takes to reach people at rock bottom,  and how we can all play a role in raising the floor before they fall. You'll hear about: The real-life stories behind mental health interventions Why “waiting for rock bottom” is outdated and dangerous Evan's early work in community mental health and how it shaped his mission The importance of a “strategically loving approach” in recovery What Keeping Up with the Kardashians taught him about visibility and vulnerability Whether you're facing personal battles or walking beside someone who is, this episode will open your eyes and offer a path forward filled with hope, compassion, and strategy. Chapters 00:00 – Chuck's intro + celebrating 200 episodes 03:00 – Meet Evan Jarschauer: mental health interventionist & therapist 05:30 – What an intervention really looks like in 2025 08:45 – Breaking through resistance and denial 12:00 – Stories from the field: from courtrooms to Kardashians 17:20 – How untreated trauma becomes a barrier to recovery 20:50 – Why Evan believes in bringing help to the person, not waiting 25:10 – The problem with outdated mental health systems 28:45 – Advice for families trying to get loved ones help 32:00 – The quote that guides Evan's work 34:00 – Final message: it's never too late to step in with love Chuck's Challenge: Take 5 minutes today to think of someone in your life who may be struggling silently. Reach out — not to fix them, but to remind them they're not alone. You never know what wall your message might break through. Connect with Evan: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-jarschauer-lmhc-ladc-mcap-icadc-mba-8639b5126/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/behavehelp Website: https://behavioralhelp.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behavioralhelpsolutions X: https://x.com/behavehelp Connect with Chuck: Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

This week on Warriors Unmasked, retired police officer, author, and national speaker Glen Williams opens up about the silent toll of PTSD. From leading others in uniform to quietly falling apart inside, Glen shares how he lost his marriage, isolated himself, and had to rebuild from the inside out. He spent three years alone in a cabin — and came back not only stronger, but more open, more honest, and more connected than ever before. Now a speaker and the author of Bridging the Gap, Glen shares his hard-won insights on communication, accountability, healing, and rebuilding relationships — at home and at work. Whether you're a first responder, a leader, or someone who's been pushing through instead of reaching out, this conversation is a reminder: you're not alone, and it's never too late to come back to yourself. Chapters 00:00 – Meet Glen Williams: Retired police officer, speaker, and author 03:10 – The hidden cost of untreated PTSD 06:30 – How shutting down destroyed his marriage 10:45 – What 3 years in solitude taught him about himself 14:15 – Learning to communicate without hiding 18:00 – Applying honesty and connection to leadership 22:40 – Why vulnerability creates stronger teams and relationships 26:15 – Glen's message to other first responders Chuck's Challenge: What part of Glen's journey spoke to you most? Reflect on where you're still holding back — and take one step this week to speak your truth.   Connect with Glen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-williams-a9095b43/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glen.williams.3150 Website: https://www.gdubauthor.com/ Connect with Chuck: Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

After nearly 200 episodes of Warriors Unmasked, host Chuck Thuss takes the mic solo to reflect on the most powerful truths he's learned from the courageous athletes, veterans, survivors, and mental health warriors who've shared their stories on the show. From vulnerability to quiet courage, Chuck distills the top 10 takeaways that have forever shaped his view on healing, resilience, and connection. Whether you're new to the show or a longtime listener, this episode is packed with wisdom to remind you that you're never alone — and your story matters. Topics include: Why vulnerability is your greatest strength The myth of “loud” courage — and what it really looks like How purpose fuels perseverance The healing power of safe connection and storytelling   Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Episode 198 (No guest — Chuck goes solo!) 01:45 – Lesson #1: Vulnerability is strength, not weakness 02:55 – Lesson #2: Dark moments often precede bright transformations 04:15 – Lesson #3: Courage is quiet, consistent, and often unseen 05:20 – Lesson #4: You're never truly alone 06:10 – Lesson #5: Purpose gives power to perseverance 07:10 – Lesson #6: Real connection heals 08:10 – Lesson #7: You are not your label 09:00 – Lesson #8: Healing isn't linear — and that's okay 10:00 – Lesson #9: Mental fitness is as critical as physical fitness 11:00 – Lesson #10: Storytelling changes lives 12:15 – Final recap + Chuck's heartfelt gratitude   Chuck's Challenge Which lesson resonated with you most?  Screenshot this episode, tag @warriorsunmasked on Instagram, and share the insight you're taking with you today. Connect with Chuck: Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck sits down with entrepreneur and author David Shamszad, who opens up about his decade-long battle with untreated bipolar disorder and addiction,  and how he rebuilt his life through treatment, community, and self-belief. From facing the darkest moments of mental illness to founding an 8-figure real estate company, David shares the real, raw, and redemptive story of what recovery can look like. You'll hear how vulnerability became his greatest strength, why he wrote his memoir I Am Someone You Know, and what he wants others facing similar struggles to understand. This is an episode that proves healing is possible — and you're never alone. Chapters 00:00 – Meet David Shamszad: entrepreneur, author, and mental health advocate 03:45 – Living with untreated bipolar disorder and addiction 08:15 – What made recovery finally stick 12:30 – The mindset shifts that helped David rebuild 17:00 – From rock bottom to real estate: launching a new life 21:45 – Why he wrote I Am Someone You Know 25:00 – Vulnerability, stigma, and sharing your story 30:15 – David's message for anyone still struggling 33:00 – What recovery really looks like on the other side   Chuck's Challenge Where in your life are you holding back from being fully seen? This week, try sharing something vulnerable with yourself or someone you trust. You might be surprised by how freeing it feels.   Connect with David Buy David's Book: https://davidshamszad.com/book/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david_shamszad LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-shamszad-16236310/ Website: https://davidshamszad.com/ Business Website: https://sgreinc.com/   Connect with Chuck: Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck sits down with Shaun Murphy, a father, entrepreneur, and man of deep faith, for an open conversation about grief, identity, and rediscovering purpose. After the unexpected loss of his father, Shaun found himself questioning everything—his path, his business, and even his faith. Through that pain, he discovered the power of presence, the importance of slowing down, and a deeper connection to his calling. If you've ever faced loss or felt called to pivot into a more intentional life, this conversation will remind you that growth doesn't always come from force, but from surrender. Chapters 00:00 – Meet Shaun Murphy & how Chuck and Shaun connected 02:45 – The personal loss that changed everything 06:30 – Grieving with faith and parenting through pain 10:00 – Redefining identity after suffering 13:30 – Letting go of pressure and finding peace in presence 17:45 – The role of faith and friendship in healing 21:00 – From survival mode to intentional living 25:15 – Stepping into purpose and creating space for others 30:00 – Shaun's advice for anyone walking through grief or growth Chuck's Challenge:  Where in your life are you being called to slow down and listen? Take five minutes today to sit in silence—and notice what surfaces. Connect with Shaun Murphy Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@misterm0tivati0n Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misterm0tivati0n YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mistermotivation492 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmurphy1/ Website: https://mister-motivation.com/ Connect with Chuck: Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

Chuck Check w Chuck. It's My Racist Way or the Highway. But the GAYS! Utah, the Poo Hive State? Naturally Clean. Snake Sperm - Honey for Your Vocal Chords. Darth Bader Ginsburg. The Shizz back there. Everything everywhere all in the wrong places in Utah. Would You Like To Add Freecock? There are many peach trees. This one is mine. Larry the Small Toad. Bach Back in the News! Always have the right Rock. Thoroughly Whelmed with Amy and more on this episode of The Morning Stream. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chuck Check w Chuck. It's My Racist Way or the Highway. But the GAYS! Utah, the Poo Hive State? Naturally Clean. Snake Sperm - Honey for Your Vocal Chords. Darth Bader Ginsburg. The Shizz back there. Everything everywhere all in the wrong places in Utah. Would You Like To Add Freecock? There are many peach trees. This one is mine. Larry the Small Toad. Bach Back in the News! Always have the right Rock. Thoroughly Whelmed with Amy and more on this episode of The Morning Stream. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Panel: Eric Berry Dave Kimura David Richards Charles Max Wood In this episode of Ruby Rogues, the panelists talk amongst themselves on today’s topic, which is “speculation on frameworks.” They consider where the tech community currently is right now, and where it’s heading towards the future. They bring-up topics such as: Rails, Ruby, Angular, Agile, and much more. Check it out! Show Topics: 0:00 – Advertisement: Sentry.io 1:47 – Chuck: Check out the DevRev 2:08 – Panel: A topic about “speculation” would be great today. What are we seeing in the community: what we like/don’t like, and what would you want to change? He talks about action text, JavaScript framework, and more. 3:41 – Chuck: Service-side rendering is what we talked about in the past. Divya does this with service–side rendering. For content sites that approach makes a lot of sense. I have playing around with this for the past week or so. I was taking it to rendering it to text. 4:39 – Panel: Yeah, that’s the way to go. 5:29 – Chuck: You are talking about a fully side UI. 5:45 – Panel: I thought it was just my age so I am glad we are talking about this. The hip kids want to make these beautiful frontend sites. I want to keep it simple and then justify more later. I guess I would never be as hip but as long as my stuff gets out there – that’s all that matters to me. 6:28 – Panel: Yeah don’t get me wrong...nobody will want to develop your product if it was built 30 years ago. If it is a startup you want it to look good with a nice UI. Nobody will purchase if it looks outdated. How much maintenance do I want to invest into this? Why add another component into that if you cannot maintain it. 7:56 – Chuck: Yeah I have come into this issue while building the Podcast Service that I am creating. 8:25 – Panel: These are good frameworks and they feel great. I don’t realize the complexity that I am taking on sometimes. I have a lot of complexity on my hands: did I need it? 9:02 – Chuck: Sometimes my problem is that I am trying to pull it in after-the-fact. Like the forms to animate or this and that have to slide in. I want a natural feel to the UX. I looked at React and then I didn’t go that way. I have been podcasting about Angular for 4 years, but it was a no-go for my project. For my solution – it makes sense to just get it going and get it rolling. 10:45 – Panel: When we do use Action Vue we are prone to get lazy. What I mean by that is making database calls. 12:01 – Panel: You can think: Inside-Out! That creates an identity around the project. If I can think of that before going in, then everyone knows what we are doing and what their role is. It’s really obvious. Simple things grow into bigger things. I am a fan of service-side objects. It’s a daily work process. That feels good to me and it’s programmatic for me. 13:24 – Chuck: You aren’t saying: I don’t want or I don’t need ... what you are saying is: I will get this tool when I need it. 13:45 – Panel: You can say: “Hey this is what we are going to do and WHY we are going to do it.” It’s nice to come back to old projects and to see that it’s still solid. It’s nice to see that and people own that software and didn’t have to keep updating. 15:06 – Chuck: It reminds me of the Agile development stuff. The approach between Angular and React and Vue are fairly different. They are reasonably different. There will be tradeoffs between which one to use. When you are making that decision then you can make the appropriate decision on that. 16:10 – Panel: I remember in the prior years when the Rails community grew their own people and you were a RAILS person; now it’s you’re a WEB person.  17:43 – Panel: In a lot of cases it’s good to see what’s out there and to see what’s new; especially early on if they end up being ahead of their time. Then you are an early pioneer in that area. There’s nothing wrong with that, but when you are introducing new things into your core you are running into unforeseeable risks. I am not an early adapter of React, but I know enough of the pros and cons of the framework. 19:48 – Panel: I like that. Maybe I “should” adapt that framework and maybe I am not the right person to do so. 21:06 – Chuck: Dave brought us to a new topic and that’s: being an early adapter. Some people want a name, some people want to invent stuff and so many more reasons “why.” I don’t want to “poo poo” the idea but you need to know WHY. 21:48 – Panel: The cost of developers is A LOT. I just think if I was building a house and I had that expense then I better get a really nice house out of it. I want to do a good job and that’s important. On the business – side they have to rely on us and decisions that are in the best interest for everyone. 22:50 – Fresh Books! 23:53 – Chuck: So what do you guys think about: what’s coming? Do you feel like things are going to move away from frontend frameworks? Will there be a large adoption curve? 24:30 – Panel: If we are talking about the space of Ruby on Rails then you want it to be maintainable. You don’t want to steer too far away from its core. 28:11 – Panel: Good I like that. There are great tools that we are getting through Google, Facebook and they have great tools for these apps. They are looking for the 1-person startup very much like Basecamp. It’s all possible that we are holding onto these technologies that are great but does it fit ME. Do I want to maintain things? Do I want to make this more complicated? Especially if I really don’t fit into what I’m trying to do. 29:13 – Panel: Yeah some people in the DOT NET world they were really struggling with some modern approaches. 30:42 – Panel: One of our listeners texted me b/c we are recording LIVE. Panelist reads off from a listener’s text message that uses a quote. 31:16 – Panel: When I started Ruby it was a PHP project and I couldn’t get there. I didn’t have enough bandwidth. It was easy for me to build the RAILS way. 32:02 – Chuck: I was introduced to PHP in college, early 2000’s. I really enjoyed it and I was fairly productive and then I found Rails. 32:27 – Panelist talks about PHP, flash frontend, and more. 34:42 – Chuck: Could and will something come along that will affect the way we write code? 34:56 – Panel: Yes, b/c I think technology is sustainable for a certain amount of time before things start to change again. Look at the iPhones and the Android phones. 38:26 – Panel: I think it takes time to do something well. Panelist talks about Rails, Ruby, data, and more! 40:25 – Panel: It’s interesting b/c the tradeoff used to be much bigger. The bandwidth is better, the screens are better, the way we do things are better. There is much of a tradeoff. That’s how people are interacting with our business and our products. I tend to write these flowery articles that I don’t publish. There was something in the air and in the mid-2000’s we were launching Netflix, and all of these things were happening at that time. A lot is happening now but it’s different now. Where are we going? Where would I be happy to work? If we can get on the phone and inside of our data and it just adds more value. It’s not an easy answer to “Where are we going?” but it’s good to talk about it b/c people might be afraid to ask and to answer. 43:13 – Chuck: Anything else or picks? 43:19 – Panel: We are saying today: we aren’t trying to break-out of this bubble, but we are saying: let’s get closer to the user and there is so much opportunity in THIS space!! 44:10 – Panel: The technology is tapped-out right now. 44:50 – Advertisement: Get A Coder Job! End – Cache Fly! Links: Get a Coder Job Course The DevRev Podcast Show Angular DevChat TV Ruby Elixir Ruby on Rails Angular Cypress Vue React Jest.io Mocha.js Book: Desert Cabal Habits for Hackers Home Depot: DeWalt Harbor Freight 11ty Masterminds Webinar Sponsors: Sentry CacheFly Fresh Books Picks: Dave Dewalt Drill Dust Collector David Habits for Hackers Desert Cabal (for funnies) Charles Mastermind Hunter 11ty.io

Panel: Eric Berry Dave Kimura David Richards Charles Max Wood In this episode of Ruby Rogues, the panelists talk amongst themselves on today’s topic, which is “speculation on frameworks.” They consider where the tech community currently is right now, and where it’s heading towards the future. They bring-up topics such as: Rails, Ruby, Angular, Agile, and much more. Check it out! Show Topics: 0:00 – Advertisement: Sentry.io 1:47 – Chuck: Check out the DevRev 2:08 – Panel: A topic about “speculation” would be great today. What are we seeing in the community: what we like/don’t like, and what would you want to change? He talks about action text, JavaScript framework, and more. 3:41 – Chuck: Service-side rendering is what we talked about in the past. Divya does this with service–side rendering. For content sites that approach makes a lot of sense. I have playing around with this for the past week or so. I was taking it to rendering it to text. 4:39 – Panel: Yeah, that’s the way to go. 5:29 – Chuck: You are talking about a fully side UI. 5:45 – Panel: I thought it was just my age so I am glad we are talking about this. The hip kids want to make these beautiful frontend sites. I want to keep it simple and then justify more later. I guess I would never be as hip but as long as my stuff gets out there – that’s all that matters to me. 6:28 – Panel: Yeah don’t get me wrong...nobody will want to develop your product if it was built 30 years ago. If it is a startup you want it to look good with a nice UI. Nobody will purchase if it looks outdated. How much maintenance do I want to invest into this? Why add another component into that if you cannot maintain it. 7:56 – Chuck: Yeah I have come into this issue while building the Podcast Service that I am creating. 8:25 – Panel: These are good frameworks and they feel great. I don’t realize the complexity that I am taking on sometimes. I have a lot of complexity on my hands: did I need it? 9:02 – Chuck: Sometimes my problem is that I am trying to pull it in after-the-fact. Like the forms to animate or this and that have to slide in. I want a natural feel to the UX. I looked at React and then I didn’t go that way. I have been podcasting about Angular for 4 years, but it was a no-go for my project. For my solution – it makes sense to just get it going and get it rolling. 10:45 – Panel: When we do use Action Vue we are prone to get lazy. What I mean by that is making database calls. 12:01 – Panel: You can think: Inside-Out! That creates an identity around the project. If I can think of that before going in, then everyone knows what we are doing and what their role is. It’s really obvious. Simple things grow into bigger things. I am a fan of service-side objects. It’s a daily work process. That feels good to me and it’s programmatic for me. 13:24 – Chuck: You aren’t saying: I don’t want or I don’t need ... what you are saying is: I will get this tool when I need it. 13:45 – Panel: You can say: “Hey this is what we are going to do and WHY we are going to do it.” It’s nice to come back to old projects and to see that it’s still solid. It’s nice to see that and people own that software and didn’t have to keep updating. 15:06 – Chuck: It reminds me of the Agile development stuff. The approach between Angular and React and Vue are fairly different. They are reasonably different. There will be tradeoffs between which one to use. When you are making that decision then you can make the appropriate decision on that. 16:10 – Panel: I remember in the prior years when the Rails community grew their own people and you were a RAILS person; now it’s you’re a WEB person.  17:43 – Panel: In a lot of cases it’s good to see what’s out there and to see what’s new; especially early on if they end up being ahead of their time. Then you are an early pioneer in that area. There’s nothing wrong with that, but when you are introducing new things into your core you are running into unforeseeable risks. I am not an early adapter of React, but I know enough of the pros and cons of the framework. 19:48 – Panel: I like that. Maybe I “should” adapt that framework and maybe I am not the right person to do so. 21:06 – Chuck: Dave brought us to a new topic and that’s: being an early adapter. Some people want a name, some people want to invent stuff and so many more reasons “why.” I don’t want to “poo poo” the idea but you need to know WHY. 21:48 – Panel: The cost of developers is A LOT. I just think if I was building a house and I had that expense then I better get a really nice house out of it. I want to do a good job and that’s important. On the business – side they have to rely on us and decisions that are in the best interest for everyone. 22:50 – Fresh Books! 23:53 – Chuck: So what do you guys think about: what’s coming? Do you feel like things are going to move away from frontend frameworks? Will there be a large adoption curve? 24:30 – Panel: If we are talking about the space of Ruby on Rails then you want it to be maintainable. You don’t want to steer too far away from its core. 28:11 – Panel: Good I like that. There are great tools that we are getting through Google, Facebook and they have great tools for these apps. They are looking for the 1-person startup very much like Basecamp. It’s all possible that we are holding onto these technologies that are great but does it fit ME. Do I want to maintain things? Do I want to make this more complicated? Especially if I really don’t fit into what I’m trying to do. 29:13 – Panel: Yeah some people in the DOT NET world they were really struggling with some modern approaches. 30:42 – Panel: One of our listeners texted me b/c we are recording LIVE. Panelist reads off from a listener’s text message that uses a quote. 31:16 – Panel: When I started Ruby it was a PHP project and I couldn’t get there. I didn’t have enough bandwidth. It was easy for me to build the RAILS way. 32:02 – Chuck: I was introduced to PHP in college, early 2000’s. I really enjoyed it and I was fairly productive and then I found Rails. 32:27 – Panelist talks about PHP, flash frontend, and more. 34:42 – Chuck: Could and will something come along that will affect the way we write code? 34:56 – Panel: Yes, b/c I think technology is sustainable for a certain amount of time before things start to change again. Look at the iPhones and the Android phones. 38:26 – Panel: I think it takes time to do something well. Panelist talks about Rails, Ruby, data, and more! 40:25 – Panel: It’s interesting b/c the tradeoff used to be much bigger. The bandwidth is better, the screens are better, the way we do things are better. There is much of a tradeoff. That’s how people are interacting with our business and our products. I tend to write these flowery articles that I don’t publish. There was something in the air and in the mid-2000’s we were launching Netflix, and all of these things were happening at that time. A lot is happening now but it’s different now. Where are we going? Where would I be happy to work? If we can get on the phone and inside of our data and it just adds more value. It’s not an easy answer to “Where are we going?” but it’s good to talk about it b/c people might be afraid to ask and to answer. 43:13 – Chuck: Anything else or picks? 43:19 – Panel: We are saying today: we aren’t trying to break-out of this bubble, but we are saying: let’s get closer to the user and there is so much opportunity in THIS space!! 44:10 – Panel: The technology is tapped-out right now. 44:50 – Advertisement: Get A Coder Job! End – Cache Fly! Links: Get a Coder Job Course The DevRev Podcast Show Angular DevChat TV Ruby Elixir Ruby on Rails Angular Cypress Vue React Jest.io Mocha.js Book: Desert Cabal Habits for Hackers Home Depot: DeWalt Harbor Freight 11ty Masterminds Webinar Sponsors: Sentry CacheFly Fresh Books Picks: Dave Dewalt Drill Dust Collector David Habits for Hackers Desert Cabal (for funnies) Charles Mastermind Hunter 11ty.io

Panel: Eric Berry Dave Kimura David Richards Charles Max Wood In this episode of Ruby Rogues, the panelists talk amongst themselves on today’s topic, which is “speculation on frameworks.” They consider where the tech community currently is right now, and where it’s heading towards the future. They bring-up topics such as: Rails, Ruby, Angular, Agile, and much more. Check it out! Show Topics: 0:00 – Advertisement: Sentry.io 1:47 – Chuck: Check out the DevRev 2:08 – Panel: A topic about “speculation” would be great today. What are we seeing in the community: what we like/don’t like, and what would you want to change? He talks about action text, JavaScript framework, and more. 3:41 – Chuck: Service-side rendering is what we talked about in the past. Divya does this with service–side rendering. For content sites that approach makes a lot of sense. I have playing around with this for the past week or so. I was taking it to rendering it to text. 4:39 – Panel: Yeah, that’s the way to go. 5:29 – Chuck: You are talking about a fully side UI. 5:45 – Panel: I thought it was just my age so I am glad we are talking about this. The hip kids want to make these beautiful frontend sites. I want to keep it simple and then justify more later. I guess I would never be as hip but as long as my stuff gets out there – that’s all that matters to me. 6:28 – Panel: Yeah don’t get me wrong...nobody will want to develop your product if it was built 30 years ago. If it is a startup you want it to look good with a nice UI. Nobody will purchase if it looks outdated. How much maintenance do I want to invest into this? Why add another component into that if you cannot maintain it. 7:56 – Chuck: Yeah I have come into this issue while building the Podcast Service that I am creating. 8:25 – Panel: These are good frameworks and they feel great. I don’t realize the complexity that I am taking on sometimes. I have a lot of complexity on my hands: did I need it? 9:02 – Chuck: Sometimes my problem is that I am trying to pull it in after-the-fact. Like the forms to animate or this and that have to slide in. I want a natural feel to the UX. I looked at React and then I didn’t go that way. I have been podcasting about Angular for 4 years, but it was a no-go for my project. For my solution – it makes sense to just get it going and get it rolling. 10:45 – Panel: When we do use Action Vue we are prone to get lazy. What I mean by that is making database calls. 12:01 – Panel: You can think: Inside-Out! That creates an identity around the project. If I can think of that before going in, then everyone knows what we are doing and what their role is. It’s really obvious. Simple things grow into bigger things. I am a fan of service-side objects. It’s a daily work process. That feels good to me and it’s programmatic for me. 13:24 – Chuck: You aren’t saying: I don’t want or I don’t need ... what you are saying is: I will get this tool when I need it. 13:45 – Panel: You can say: “Hey this is what we are going to do and WHY we are going to do it.” It’s nice to come back to old projects and to see that it’s still solid. It’s nice to see that and people own that software and didn’t have to keep updating. 15:06 – Chuck: It reminds me of the Agile development stuff. The approach between Angular and React and Vue are fairly different. They are reasonably different. There will be tradeoffs between which one to use. When you are making that decision then you can make the appropriate decision on that. 16:10 – Panel: I remember in the prior years when the Rails community grew their own people and you were a RAILS person; now it’s you’re a WEB person.  17:43 – Panel: In a lot of cases it’s good to see what’s out there and to see what’s new; especially early on if they end up being ahead of their time. Then you are an early pioneer in that area. There’s nothing wrong with that, but when you are introducing new things into your core you are running into unforeseeable risks. I am not an early adapter of React, but I know enough of the pros and cons of the framework. 19:48 – Panel: I like that. Maybe I “should” adapt that framework and maybe I am not the right person to do so. 21:06 – Chuck: Dave brought us to a new topic and that’s: being an early adapter. Some people want a name, some people want to invent stuff and so many more reasons “why.” I don’t want to “poo poo” the idea but you need to know WHY. 21:48 – Panel: The cost of developers is A LOT. I just think if I was building a house and I had that expense then I better get a really nice house out of it. I want to do a good job and that’s important. On the business – side they have to rely on us and decisions that are in the best interest for everyone. 22:50 – Fresh Books! 23:53 – Chuck: So what do you guys think about: what’s coming? Do you feel like things are going to move away from frontend frameworks? Will there be a large adoption curve? 24:30 – Panel: If we are talking about the space of Ruby on Rails then you want it to be maintainable. You don’t want to steer too far away from its core. 28:11 – Panel: Good I like that. There are great tools that we are getting through Google, Facebook and they have great tools for these apps. They are looking for the 1-person startup very much like Basecamp. It’s all possible that we are holding onto these technologies that are great but does it fit ME. Do I want to maintain things? Do I want to make this more complicated? Especially if I really don’t fit into what I’m trying to do. 29:13 – Panel: Yeah some people in the DOT NET world they were really struggling with some modern approaches. 30:42 – Panel: One of our listeners texted me b/c we are recording LIVE. Panelist reads off from a listener’s text message that uses a quote. 31:16 – Panel: When I started Ruby it was a PHP project and I couldn’t get there. I didn’t have enough bandwidth. It was easy for me to build the RAILS way. 32:02 – Chuck: I was introduced to PHP in college, early 2000’s. I really enjoyed it and I was fairly productive and then I found Rails. 32:27 – Panelist talks about PHP, flash frontend, and more. 34:42 – Chuck: Could and will something come along that will affect the way we write code? 34:56 – Panel: Yes, b/c I think technology is sustainable for a certain amount of time before things start to change again. Look at the iPhones and the Android phones. 38:26 – Panel: I think it takes time to do something well. Panelist talks about Rails, Ruby, data, and more! 40:25 – Panel: It’s interesting b/c the tradeoff used to be much bigger. The bandwidth is better, the screens are better, the way we do things are better. There is much of a tradeoff. That’s how people are interacting with our business and our products. I tend to write these flowery articles that I don’t publish. There was something in the air and in the mid-2000’s we were launching Netflix, and all of these things were happening at that time. A lot is happening now but it’s different now. Where are we going? Where would I be happy to work? If we can get on the phone and inside of our data and it just adds more value. It’s not an easy answer to “Where are we going?” but it’s good to talk about it b/c people might be afraid to ask and to answer. 43:13 – Chuck: Anything else or picks? 43:19 – Panel: We are saying today: we aren’t trying to break-out of this bubble, but we are saying: let’s get closer to the user and there is so much opportunity in THIS space!! 44:10 – Panel: The technology is tapped-out right now. 44:50 – Advertisement: Get A Coder Job! End – Cache Fly! Links: Get a Coder Job Course The DevRev Podcast Show Angular DevChat TV Ruby Elixir Ruby on Rails Angular Cypress Vue React Jest.io Mocha.js Book: Desert Cabal Habits for Hackers Home Depot: DeWalt Harbor Freight 11ty Masterminds Webinar Sponsors: Sentry CacheFly Fresh Books Picks: Dave Dewalt Drill Dust Collector David Habits for Hackers Desert Cabal (for funnies) Charles Mastermind Hunter 11ty.io

Panel: Charles Max Wood Joe Eames John Papa Alyssa Nicoll Special Guest:  Michael Giambalvo In this episode, Chuck talks with special guest Michael Giambalvo who is an author of the book titled, “Testing Angular Applications.” This book can be purchased through Amazon, Manning Publications, among other sites, too. The panelists and the guest talk about different types of tests, such as end-to-end testing and unit testing. They also talk about Angular, Java, Mocha, Test Café, and much more! Check it out! Show Topics: 0:00 – Advertisement: AngularBootCamp.Com 0:53 – Chuck: Our panel is John Papa, Joe Eames, Alyssa Nicoll, and myself. My new show is the DevRev – check it out, please! 1:26 – Guest: I am a contributing author to our new book, which is about Angular. 1:56 – Chuck: How is it like to write with multiple people? 2:04 – Guest: Yep it’s hard b/c we are in different areas. Back in the 2.0 days, Jesse was writing a book. He was talking about typescript and components. Craig made friends with Jesse and they were talking about the book he was writing. Then we all jumped in to get in finished. We all had areas that we were specialists in! 3:21 – Alyssa: If you break it up that makes sense. 3:31 – Guest. 3:40 – Panel: Pick different words and go around the room. 3:51 – Panel: You write the first ½ of a sentence and then you write the other ½ of the sentence! 4:10 – Guest: You have these big word documents and go back-and-forth. 4:36 – Alyssa: Editing and then pass it back-and-forth – how does that work? 4:46 – Guest: It’s like 8 pass backs-and-forth. 5:35 – Guest: The editing was the main issue – it took forever! 5:50 – Chuck: We were going to co-author a book and we didn’t. Chuck: If you could break down the book in 4 core topics what would they be? Elevator pitch? What is the starting knowledge? 6:18 – Guest: We expect you to know Angular Intro and that’s it! 6:43 – Chuck: What are the principles? 6:50 – Guest: We talk about the testing component. We highlight the benefits of using Angular vs. Angular.js. That shows up in the book a lot. It’s very example driven. 7:28 – Chuck: We have been talking about testing quite a bit on the show lately. 8:22 – Chuck: Do you see people using the testing in regards to the pyramid? 8:33 – Guest: I am not a huge fan of the pyramid. Some questions I ask are: Does it run quickly? Is it reliable? To give you some background I work on Google Club Platform. 10:21 – The guest talks about “Page Level Integration Tests.” 11:31 – Alyssa. 11:50 – Chuck: After your explanation after writing your book I’m sure it’s a breeze now. Knowing these tests and having the confidence is great. 12:13 – Guest: Tools like Cypress is very helpful. Web Driver Testing, too. 12:43 – Chuck: Where do people start? What do you recommend? Do they start at Protractor or do they come down to unit tests? 13:02 – Guest: Finding the balance is important. 14:30 – Chuck: Check out a past episode that we’ve done. 14:40 – Panel asks a question about tools such as Test Café and Cypress. 14:50 – Guest: I really don’t know Test Café. There is a long story in how all of these fit together. The guest talks about Selenium, Cypress, Safari, Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Puppeteer! 19:24 – Chuck: Does it work in Electron as well, too? 19:26 – Guest: Good question but I don’t know the answer. 19:39 – Chuck: Maybe a listener could write a comment and tell us. 19:43 – Panel: I’ve used Protractor for many years. I like the explanation that you just gave. The great thing about Protractor is that you can... 20:29 – Guest: We wanted to explain the difficulty of Protractor in this book. Guest: You have this test running in Node but then you have your app running in the browser. You have these 2 different run times. You might have to run them separately and there is tons of complexity. 21:15 – Panel: As I am coding you have this visual browser on one side, and then on the other side you have... 22:22 – Guest asks the panelists a question. 22:32 – Panel: I have only used it for a few months and a few several apps but haven’t had those issues, yet. 22:55 – Guest: I haven’t heard of Test Café at all. 23:05 – Alyssa: Is the book online? 23:13 – Guest: It’s available through Manning Publications and Amazon. I think we have some codes to giveaway! 23:34 – Chuck: Yeah, we are working on those codes and giveaways. We have mentioned about 5 or 6 tools – are you worried about your book going out of date? 24:05 – Guest: Sure that is something we are worried about. When editing took a long time to get through that was one of my thoughts. The guest talks about Selenium, control flow, Protractor, 25:45 – Guest (continues): These new features were coming out while the book was coming out – so there’s that. What’s this thing about control flow and why this matters to you, etc. We were able to add that into the book, which is good. We were able to get those instructions out there. Books have a delay to them. 26:47 – Chuck: We talked about this in JavaScript Jabber. This guest talked about this and he is from Big Nerd Ranch. At what point do you have this breaking point: This isn’t a good fit for Test Café or Selenium BUT a good fit for Mocha or Jest? 27:27 – Advertisement: Get A Coder Job! 28:04 – Guest: Do you have a reason why you would switch testing tools? 28:12 – Chuck. 28:41 – Guest: That’s the tradeoff as you move down the ladder. 29:43 – Panel: If you want to trigger an action that isn’t triggerable? 29:50 – Guest answers the question. 30:07 – Panel. 30:20 – Chuck. 30:33 – Guest: You can access code. Usually something in a workflow will make it happen. You have to fall back on some type of UI sort of thing. It’s almost like doing Tetris! I’ve never had to directly call something. I am not the best one to answer that. 31:16 – Panel: It’s like a weird mix of tests. 31:29 – Panelist is talking about unit testing and other tests. 31:55 – Chuck asks a question. 32:02 – Guest: It depends on the scale of your project. 32:28 – Chuck: Do you guys use a test coverage tool or on the side of: everything should run and then test if there is a bug. 32:43 – Guest: Coverage isn’t the full story. 33:26 – Panel: You said you weren’t a fan of the testing pyramid – can you explain why? 33:43 – Guest: I think it turns too much prescriptive. Guest: I think there are bigger concerns out there and the test pyramid is an over-simplification. 35:22 – Panel: What’s the difference between fast and slow testing? 35:28 – Guest: It really depends on your level of knowledge. If your test suite runs more than twenty minutes to an hour that is probably too slow! 36:03 – Alyssa. 36:09 – Chuck. 36:16 – Alyssa: There is no way that 20 minutes equals that! 36:26 – Guest: 20 minutes is the extreme limit.  36:51 – Chuck. 37:11 – Panel: Any new Twitter news on Trump? 37:21 – Panelist talks about test suites! 37:40 – Panelists and guests go back-and-forth. 38:11 – Chuck: Do you have any recommendations for the unit testing? Keeping it small or not so much? 38:29 – Guest: Think: What is this test asking? Don’t write tests that won’t fail if some other tests could have caught them. 39:04 – Alyssa: That’s smart! 39:09 – Guest continues. 39:28 – Chuck: What else to jump on? Chuck: Do you write your tests in typescript or in Java? 39:48 – Guest answers the question. He mentions Python, typescript, and more! 40:17 – Alyssa. 40:22 – Guest continues. 40:46 – Alyssa: How many people worked on that project? 40:50 – Guest: 2 or 3 framework engineers who did the tooling. About 20 people total for tooling to make sure everything worked. 41:18 – Panelist asks a question. 41:22 – Guest: About 20 minutes! 42:35 – Guest wants to talk about the topic: end-to-end testing! 44:59 – Chuck: Let’s do picks! 45:09 – Fresh Books! END – CacheFly! Links: Vue jQuery Angular JavaScript Python React Cypress Puppeteer – GitHub Protractor Test Mocha.js Selenium C# GitHub: testcafe Istanbul “Protractor: A New Hope” – YouTube Video – Michael Giambalvo & Craig Nishina Book: “Testing Angular Applications” – Manning Publications Michael’s GitHub Michael’s Twitter Sponsors: Angular Boot Camp Cache Fly Picks: Alyssa Fantastic Beasts Joe Skyward War of the Spider Queen Luxur - board game Testing Angular with Cypress.io Space Cadets Sonar Family Charles The DevRev Podcast Gary Vee Audio Experience Michael Scale Captain Sonar

Panel: Charles Max Wood Joe Eames John Papa Alyssa Nicoll Special Guest:  Michael Giambalvo In this episode, Chuck talks with special guest Michael Giambalvo who is an author of the book titled, “Testing Angular Applications.” This book can be purchased through Amazon, Manning Publications, among other sites, too. The panelists and the guest talk about different types of tests, such as end-to-end testing and unit testing. They also talk about Angular, Java, Mocha, Test Café, and much more! Check it out! Show Topics: 0:00 – Advertisement: AngularBootCamp.Com 0:53 – Chuck: Our panel is John Papa, Joe Eames, Alyssa Nicoll, and myself. My new show is the DevRev – check it out, please! 1:26 – Guest: I am a contributing author to our new book, which is about Angular. 1:56 – Chuck: How is it like to write with multiple people? 2:04 – Guest: Yep it’s hard b/c we are in different areas. Back in the 2.0 days, Jesse was writing a book. He was talking about typescript and components. Craig made friends with Jesse and they were talking about the book he was writing. Then we all jumped in to get in finished. We all had areas that we were specialists in! 3:21 – Alyssa: If you break it up that makes sense. 3:31 – Guest. 3:40 – Panel: Pick different words and go around the room. 3:51 – Panel: You write the first ½ of a sentence and then you write the other ½ of the sentence! 4:10 – Guest: You have these big word documents and go back-and-forth. 4:36 – Alyssa: Editing and then pass it back-and-forth – how does that work? 4:46 – Guest: It’s like 8 pass backs-and-forth. 5:35 – Guest: The editing was the main issue – it took forever! 5:50 – Chuck: We were going to co-author a book and we didn’t. Chuck: If you could break down the book in 4 core topics what would they be? Elevator pitch? What is the starting knowledge? 6:18 – Guest: We expect you to know Angular Intro and that’s it! 6:43 – Chuck: What are the principles? 6:50 – Guest: We talk about the testing component. We highlight the benefits of using Angular vs. Angular.js. That shows up in the book a lot. It’s very example driven. 7:28 – Chuck: We have been talking about testing quite a bit on the show lately. 8:22 – Chuck: Do you see people using the testing in regards to the pyramid? 8:33 – Guest: I am not a huge fan of the pyramid. Some questions I ask are: Does it run quickly? Is it reliable? To give you some background I work on Google Club Platform. 10:21 – The guest talks about “Page Level Integration Tests.” 11:31 – Alyssa. 11:50 – Chuck: After your explanation after writing your book I’m sure it’s a breeze now. Knowing these tests and having the confidence is great. 12:13 – Guest: Tools like Cypress is very helpful. Web Driver Testing, too. 12:43 – Chuck: Where do people start? What do you recommend? Do they start at Protractor or do they come down to unit tests? 13:02 – Guest: Finding the balance is important. 14:30 – Chuck: Check out a past episode that we’ve done. 14:40 – Panel asks a question about tools such as Test Café and Cypress. 14:50 – Guest: I really don’t know Test Café. There is a long story in how all of these fit together. The guest talks about Selenium, Cypress, Safari, Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Puppeteer! 19:24 – Chuck: Does it work in Electron as well, too? 19:26 – Guest: Good question but I don’t know the answer. 19:39 – Chuck: Maybe a listener could write a comment and tell us. 19:43 – Panel: I’ve used Protractor for many years. I like the explanation that you just gave. The great thing about Protractor is that you can... 20:29 – Guest: We wanted to explain the difficulty of Protractor in this book. Guest: You have this test running in Node but then you have your app running in the browser. You have these 2 different run times. You might have to run them separately and there is tons of complexity. 21:15 – Panel: As I am coding you have this visual browser on one side, and then on the other side you have... 22:22 – Guest asks the panelists a question. 22:32 – Panel: I have only used it for a few months and a few several apps but haven’t had those issues, yet. 22:55 – Guest: I haven’t heard of Test Café at all. 23:05 – Alyssa: Is the book online? 23:13 – Guest: It’s available through Manning Publications and Amazon. I think we have some codes to giveaway! 23:34 – Chuck: Yeah, we are working on those codes and giveaways. We have mentioned about 5 or 6 tools – are you worried about your book going out of date? 24:05 – Guest: Sure that is something we are worried about. When editing took a long time to get through that was one of my thoughts. The guest talks about Selenium, control flow, Protractor, 25:45 – Guest (continues): These new features were coming out while the book was coming out – so there’s that. What’s this thing about control flow and why this matters to you, etc. We were able to add that into the book, which is good. We were able to get those instructions out there. Books have a delay to them. 26:47 – Chuck: We talked about this in JavaScript Jabber. This guest talked about this and he is from Big Nerd Ranch. At what point do you have this breaking point: This isn’t a good fit for Test Café or Selenium BUT a good fit for Mocha or Jest? 27:27 – Advertisement: Get A Coder Job! 28:04 – Guest: Do you have a reason why you would switch testing tools? 28:12 – Chuck. 28:41 – Guest: That’s the tradeoff as you move down the ladder. 29:43 – Panel: If you want to trigger an action that isn’t triggerable? 29:50 – Guest answers the question. 30:07 – Panel. 30:20 – Chuck. 30:33 – Guest: You can access code. Usually something in a workflow will make it happen. You have to fall back on some type of UI sort of thing. It’s almost like doing Tetris! I’ve never had to directly call something. I am not the best one to answer that. 31:16 – Panel: It’s like a weird mix of tests. 31:29 – Panelist is talking about unit testing and other tests. 31:55 – Chuck asks a question. 32:02 – Guest: It depends on the scale of your project. 32:28 – Chuck: Do you guys use a test coverage tool or on the side of: everything should run and then test if there is a bug. 32:43 – Guest: Coverage isn’t the full story. 33:26 – Panel: You said you weren’t a fan of the testing pyramid – can you explain why? 33:43 – Guest: I think it turns too much prescriptive. Guest: I think there are bigger concerns out there and the test pyramid is an over-simplification. 35:22 – Panel: What’s the difference between fast and slow testing? 35:28 – Guest: It really depends on your level of knowledge. If your test suite runs more than twenty minutes to an hour that is probably too slow! 36:03 – Alyssa. 36:09 – Chuck. 36:16 – Alyssa: There is no way that 20 minutes equals that! 36:26 – Guest: 20 minutes is the extreme limit.  36:51 – Chuck. 37:11 – Panel: Any new Twitter news on Trump? 37:21 – Panelist talks about test suites! 37:40 – Panelists and guests go back-and-forth. 38:11 – Chuck: Do you have any recommendations for the unit testing? Keeping it small or not so much? 38:29 – Guest: Think: What is this test asking? Don’t write tests that won’t fail if some other tests could have caught them. 39:04 – Alyssa: That’s smart! 39:09 – Guest continues. 39:28 – Chuck: What else to jump on? Chuck: Do you write your tests in typescript or in Java? 39:48 – Guest answers the question. He mentions Python, typescript, and more! 40:17 – Alyssa. 40:22 – Guest continues. 40:46 – Alyssa: How many people worked on that project? 40:50 – Guest: 2 or 3 framework engineers who did the tooling. About 20 people total for tooling to make sure everything worked. 41:18 – Panelist asks a question. 41:22 – Guest: About 20 minutes! 42:35 – Guest wants to talk about the topic: end-to-end testing! 44:59 – Chuck: Let’s do picks! 45:09 – Fresh Books! END – CacheFly! Links: Vue jQuery Angular JavaScript Python React Cypress Puppeteer – GitHub Protractor Test Mocha.js Selenium C# GitHub: testcafe Istanbul “Protractor: A New Hope” – YouTube Video – Michael Giambalvo & Craig Nishina Book: “Testing Angular Applications” – Manning Publications Michael’s GitHub Michael’s Twitter Sponsors: Angular Boot Camp Cache Fly Picks: Alyssa Fantastic Beasts Joe Skyward War of the Spider Queen Luxur - board game Testing Angular with Cypress.io Space Cadets Sonar Family Charles The DevRev Podcast Gary Vee Audio Experience Michael Scale Captain Sonar

Panel: Charles Max Wood Joe Eames John Papa Alyssa Nicoll Special Guest:  Michael Giambalvo In this episode, Chuck talks with special guest Michael Giambalvo who is an author of the book titled, “Testing Angular Applications.” This book can be purchased through Amazon, Manning Publications, among other sites, too. The panelists and the guest talk about different types of tests, such as end-to-end testing and unit testing. They also talk about Angular, Java, Mocha, Test Café, and much more! Check it out! Show Topics: 0:00 – Advertisement: AngularBootCamp.Com 0:53 – Chuck: Our panel is John Papa, Joe Eames, Alyssa Nicoll, and myself. My new show is the DevRev – check it out, please! 1:26 – Guest: I am a contributing author to our new book, which is about Angular. 1:56 – Chuck: How is it like to write with multiple people? 2:04 – Guest: Yep it’s hard b/c we are in different areas. Back in the 2.0 days, Jesse was writing a book. He was talking about typescript and components. Craig made friends with Jesse and they were talking about the book he was writing. Then we all jumped in to get in finished. We all had areas that we were specialists in! 3:21 – Alyssa: If you break it up that makes sense. 3:31 – Guest. 3:40 – Panel: Pick different words and go around the room. 3:51 – Panel: You write the first ½ of a sentence and then you write the other ½ of the sentence! 4:10 – Guest: You have these big word documents and go back-and-forth. 4:36 – Alyssa: Editing and then pass it back-and-forth – how does that work? 4:46 – Guest: It’s like 8 pass backs-and-forth. 5:35 – Guest: The editing was the main issue – it took forever! 5:50 – Chuck: We were going to co-author a book and we didn’t. Chuck: If you could break down the book in 4 core topics what would they be? Elevator pitch? What is the starting knowledge? 6:18 – Guest: We expect you to know Angular Intro and that’s it! 6:43 – Chuck: What are the principles? 6:50 – Guest: We talk about the testing component. We highlight the benefits of using Angular vs. Angular.js. That shows up in the book a lot. It’s very example driven. 7:28 – Chuck: We have been talking about testing quite a bit on the show lately. 8:22 – Chuck: Do you see people using the testing in regards to the pyramid? 8:33 – Guest: I am not a huge fan of the pyramid. Some questions I ask are: Does it run quickly? Is it reliable? To give you some background I work on Google Club Platform. 10:21 – The guest talks about “Page Level Integration Tests.” 11:31 – Alyssa. 11:50 – Chuck: After your explanation after writing your book I’m sure it’s a breeze now. Knowing these tests and having the confidence is great. 12:13 – Guest: Tools like Cypress is very helpful. Web Driver Testing, too. 12:43 – Chuck: Where do people start? What do you recommend? Do they start at Protractor or do they come down to unit tests? 13:02 – Guest: Finding the balance is important. 14:30 – Chuck: Check out a past episode that we’ve done. 14:40 – Panel asks a question about tools such as Test Café and Cypress. 14:50 – Guest: I really don’t know Test Café. There is a long story in how all of these fit together. The guest talks about Selenium, Cypress, Safari, Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Puppeteer! 19:24 – Chuck: Does it work in Electron as well, too? 19:26 – Guest: Good question but I don’t know the answer. 19:39 – Chuck: Maybe a listener could write a comment and tell us. 19:43 – Panel: I’ve used Protractor for many years. I like the explanation that you just gave. The great thing about Protractor is that you can... 20:29 – Guest: We wanted to explain the difficulty of Protractor in this book. Guest: You have this test running in Node but then you have your app running in the browser. You have these 2 different run times. You might have to run them separately and there is tons of complexity. 21:15 – Panel: As I am coding you have this visual browser on one side, and then on the other side you have... 22:22 – Guest asks the panelists a question. 22:32 – Panel: I have only used it for a few months and a few several apps but haven’t had those issues, yet. 22:55 – Guest: I haven’t heard of Test Café at all. 23:05 – Alyssa: Is the book online? 23:13 – Guest: It’s available through Manning Publications and Amazon. I think we have some codes to giveaway! 23:34 – Chuck: Yeah, we are working on those codes and giveaways. We have mentioned about 5 or 6 tools – are you worried about your book going out of date? 24:05 – Guest: Sure that is something we are worried about. When editing took a long time to get through that was one of my thoughts. The guest talks about Selenium, control flow, Protractor, 25:45 – Guest (continues): These new features were coming out while the book was coming out – so there’s that. What’s this thing about control flow and why this matters to you, etc. We were able to add that into the book, which is good. We were able to get those instructions out there. Books have a delay to them. 26:47 – Chuck: We talked about this in JavaScript Jabber. This guest talked about this and he is from Big Nerd Ranch. At what point do you have this breaking point: This isn’t a good fit for Test Café or Selenium BUT a good fit for Mocha or Jest? 27:27 – Advertisement: Get A Coder Job! 28:04 – Guest: Do you have a reason why you would switch testing tools? 28:12 – Chuck. 28:41 – Guest: That’s the tradeoff as you move down the ladder. 29:43 – Panel: If you want to trigger an action that isn’t triggerable? 29:50 – Guest answers the question. 30:07 – Panel. 30:20 – Chuck. 30:33 – Guest: You can access code. Usually something in a workflow will make it happen. You have to fall back on some type of UI sort of thing. It’s almost like doing Tetris! I’ve never had to directly call something. I am not the best one to answer that. 31:16 – Panel: It’s like a weird mix of tests. 31:29 – Panelist is talking about unit testing and other tests. 31:55 – Chuck asks a question. 32:02 – Guest: It depends on the scale of your project. 32:28 – Chuck: Do you guys use a test coverage tool or on the side of: everything should run and then test if there is a bug. 32:43 – Guest: Coverage isn’t the full story. 33:26 – Panel: You said you weren’t a fan of the testing pyramid – can you explain why? 33:43 – Guest: I think it turns too much prescriptive. Guest: I think there are bigger concerns out there and the test pyramid is an over-simplification. 35:22 – Panel: What’s the difference between fast and slow testing? 35:28 – Guest: It really depends on your level of knowledge. If your test suite runs more than twenty minutes to an hour that is probably too slow! 36:03 – Alyssa. 36:09 – Chuck. 36:16 – Alyssa: There is no way that 20 minutes equals that! 36:26 – Guest: 20 minutes is the extreme limit.  36:51 – Chuck. 37:11 – Panel: Any new Twitter news on Trump? 37:21 – Panelist talks about test suites! 37:40 – Panelists and guests go back-and-forth. 38:11 – Chuck: Do you have any recommendations for the unit testing? Keeping it small or not so much? 38:29 – Guest: Think: What is this test asking? Don’t write tests that won’t fail if some other tests could have caught them. 39:04 – Alyssa: That’s smart! 39:09 – Guest continues. 39:28 – Chuck: What else to jump on? Chuck: Do you write your tests in typescript or in Java? 39:48 – Guest answers the question. He mentions Python, typescript, and more! 40:17 – Alyssa. 40:22 – Guest continues. 40:46 – Alyssa: How many people worked on that project? 40:50 – Guest: 2 or 3 framework engineers who did the tooling. About 20 people total for tooling to make sure everything worked. 41:18 – Panelist asks a question. 41:22 – Guest: About 20 minutes! 42:35 – Guest wants to talk about the topic: end-to-end testing! 44:59 – Chuck: Let’s do picks! 45:09 – Fresh Books! END – CacheFly! Links: Vue jQuery Angular JavaScript Python React Cypress Puppeteer – GitHub Protractor Test Mocha.js Selenium C# GitHub: testcafe Istanbul “Protractor: A New Hope” – YouTube Video – Michael Giambalvo & Craig Nishina Book: “Testing Angular Applications” – Manning Publications Michael’s GitHub Michael’s Twitter Sponsors: Angular Boot Camp Cache Fly Picks: Alyssa Fantastic Beasts Joe Skyward War of the Spider Queen Luxur - board game Testing Angular with Cypress.io Space Cadets Sonar Family Charles The DevRev Podcast Gary Vee Audio Experience Michael Scale Captain Sonar

Panel: Mark Ericksen Nathan (Nate) Hopkins Charles Max Wood Special Guest: Sophie DeBenedetto In this episode of Elixir Mix, the panel talks with Sophie DeBenedetto who is a teacher at the Flatiron School, a software engineer, and creator of Break In. The panelists and Sophie talk about her blog, the Flatiron School, and her background. Check it out! Show Topics: 0:00 – Advertisement: Get A Coder Job!  0:50 – Chuck: Welcome! Our panel is Mark, Nate, and myself. Our special guest, today, is Sophie! Please introduce yourself! 1:32 – Guest: Hi! I am Sophie and I am an engineer who works at the Flatiron School. We are growing and fast and offer a lot of different courses. We are an international school working with Elixir and Phoenix. 2:10 – Chuck: You gave us multiple topics: Joken and Elixir Packages. Give us please some background there. 2:33 – Guest: I will talk about the problems we were trying to resolve with Joken. The Guest goes into detail about this topic. Sophie mentions Rails, Joken, Guardian, Phoenix, and Erlang-Jose. 4:41 – Guest: We found this nice little library that we needed and that was Joken. Initially, we were trying to hit the nail with a racket and all we needed was a hammer. 6:48 – Guest: I am telling the whole Internet our problem we had, and how we resolved it. That’s why I am here today, because you all found my blog. 9:04 – Panel: There is a lot there! Some terms that you mentioned: JWT is referred to as a JOT – for those listeners who don’t know. Panelist asks question. 9:43 – Guest answers the question. 10:52 – Panel: When I used Joken before I did use it with the HMAC algorithm. You are on the fringe of what is mainstream and you can come across those rough spots. You are doing this service of saying yes I found this problem and I will try to help you with this problem. 11:25 – Guest: It’s an interesting feeling to say we solved this problem and then realizing we were wrong about it. I’m glad that happened because it’s real. As a teacher I saw students being reluctant to blog b/c they didn’t want to be wrong, but that’s how you grow! 12:22 – Chuck: We talked about the JWT and the dots. How is this different than Ruby gems and other things? 12:44 – Guest: I think anyone would have thoughts on this. There’s not a lot of resources, and look into the Ruby community. From the Flatiron School our focus has been Ruby, and we ask our students to contribute. We want to find an answer to any problem we are facing through Ruby and Rails. More or less you will find a solution from somebody through the Internet. Elixir is definitely different from this because it’s a newer framework.  14:26 – Panelist asks about the curriculum through the Flatiron School. 14:48 – Guest answers the question. 16:08 – Panel: We have had Kate Travers from Flatiron Schools on our podcast before. What has your path been? 16:30 – Guest: We graduated at the same time and I went to the educational-side, which I did for a year to about a year and a half. I thought I needed to get my hands dirty, though, to be a better teacher. I went to this company...and I recently rejoined the Flatiron School’s faculty. 17:40 – Panel: That’s great. I was with a company for 3 years, left for 2 years, and then I came back. It’s a testament to not burning bridges. There is value to leaving and going to get new and different experiences. You grow in the process, and that’s what happened for me. I like your path and thanks for sharing your story! 18:50 – Fresh Books! 20:00 – Chuck: Do you have any policies on how students (at Flatiron School) need to contribute? 20:06 – Guest: Not so much HOW but we encourage it. The guest goes into detail and mentions Elixir School (see links below). 21:33 – Panel: That is a good suggestion if a newbie wants to contribute and they are afraid to contribute. You can get involved and your suggestion will be reviewed. 22:10 – Guest: Yes! There is a team member, Matt, and he contributed to the code base. He was new to the Elixir community, and showed his thought-process. Contributing to open source is great because it helps the community, and opens a pathway for great feedback and conversation. 23:30 – Panel: I think that’s a healthy way to look at pole requests. I have worked with folks that don’t view it that way, though. They hold their code a little close to their chest and that’s it. I like the dialogue. 24:00 – Chuck: This stuff isn’t staying still b/c the Elixir community is constantly growing. I cannot recommend highly enough to learn something new. It can be just 20-30 minutes a day. If you aren’t doing that then you will fall behind. 24:57 – Panel: Question for Sophie. How did you get involved with Elixir School? 25:18 – Guest: I am definitely not an expert. It’s a group of people who thought that Elixir should be more accessible. I like it because it’s beginner-friendly. Find something to contribute to b/c there are tons of different levels to find what’s good for you. 27:09 – Panel: Has it be re-skinned/re-themed? 27:15 – Guest: Yeah, I think so. Along with the theme-related they have been putting high priority into different languages. 27:38 – Panelist comments about natural languages and translations. 27:52 – Chuck: Was this a project through the school or something else? 28:06 – Guest: It’s not through the school. 28:36 – Chuck: Any other projects through the school? 28:46 – Guest: Yes, the school has a lab and it’s neat to see it grow! 29:38 – Panel: Have you tried those other technologies before (and they didn’t work) or did you just anticipate it was a problem that you couldn’t solve without the Beam. 30:02 – Guest answers. 32:33 – Panel: That makes sense. You were reaching for Erlang when you were on the Ruby Stack. 32:49 – Guest refers to tooling and Rabbit. 33:00 – Chuck: You mentioned Rabbit – what does your typical stack look like? Are you running Phoenix? Or here is a job so here is Elixir? What is your process like? 33:23 – Guest: A Ruby on Rails app it has all the ups-and-downs and it’s kind of old. As we are growing and partnering with new companies/schools we are updating and seeing a need to grow even more. 34:49 – Panel. 34:54 – Guest: The video that Chris McCord put out! 35:03 – Chuck: Check the show notes’ links! 35:15 – Chuck: Picks! 35:23 – Ad: Lootcrate.com END – CacheFly! Links: Ruby Elixir Elm Atom.io Flutter.io JavaScript Visual Studio Code React Guardian Joken Erlang-Jose Flatiron School Flatiron School's Blog Flatiron Labs Elixir School Elixir School EMx 020 Episode Utah Elixir Meetup Blog: How We Built the Learn IDE in Browser Break_In The Great Code Adventure Rabbit Sophie’s Website Sophie’s Twitter Sponsors: Loot Crate Get a Coder Job! Fresh Books CacheFly Picks: Mark Utah Elixir Meetup Nate Racquetball Getting out and doing something Charles repurpose.io Sling TV Fox Sports Sophie Elixir School Learn IDE Blog

Panel: Mark Ericksen Nathan (Nate) Hopkins Charles Max Wood Special Guest: Sophie DeBenedetto In this episode of Elixir Mix, the panel talks with Sophie DeBenedetto who is a teacher at the Flatiron School, a software engineer, and creator of Break In. The panelists and Sophie talk about her blog, the Flatiron School, and her background. Check it out! Show Topics: 0:00 – Advertisement: Get A Coder Job!  0:50 – Chuck: Welcome! Our panel is Mark, Nate, and myself. Our special guest, today, is Sophie! Please introduce yourself! 1:32 – Guest: Hi! I am Sophie and I am an engineer who works at the Flatiron School. We are growing and fast and offer a lot of different courses. We are an international school working with Elixir and Phoenix. 2:10 – Chuck: You gave us multiple topics: Joken and Elixir Packages. Give us please some background there. 2:33 – Guest: I will talk about the problems we were trying to resolve with Joken. The Guest goes into detail about this topic. Sophie mentions Rails, Joken, Guardian, Phoenix, and Erlang-Jose. 4:41 – Guest: We found this nice little library that we needed and that was Joken. Initially, we were trying to hit the nail with a racket and all we needed was a hammer. 6:48 – Guest: I am telling the whole Internet our problem we had, and how we resolved it. That’s why I am here today, because you all found my blog. 9:04 – Panel: There is a lot there! Some terms that you mentioned: JWT is referred to as a JOT – for those listeners who don’t know. Panelist asks question. 9:43 – Guest answers the question. 10:52 – Panel: When I used Joken before I did use it with the HMAC algorithm. You are on the fringe of what is mainstream and you can come across those rough spots. You are doing this service of saying yes I found this problem and I will try to help you with this problem. 11:25 – Guest: It’s an interesting feeling to say we solved this problem and then realizing we were wrong about it. I’m glad that happened because it’s real. As a teacher I saw students being reluctant to blog b/c they didn’t want to be wrong, but that’s how you grow! 12:22 – Chuck: We talked about the JWT and the dots. How is this different than Ruby gems and other things? 12:44 – Guest: I think anyone would have thoughts on this. There’s not a lot of resources, and look into the Ruby community. From the Flatiron School our focus has been Ruby, and we ask our students to contribute. We want to find an answer to any problem we are facing through Ruby and Rails. More or less you will find a solution from somebody through the Internet. Elixir is definitely different from this because it’s a newer framework.  14:26 – Panelist asks about the curriculum through the Flatiron School. 14:48 – Guest answers the question. 16:08 – Panel: We have had Kate Travers from Flatiron Schools on our podcast before. What has your path been? 16:30 – Guest: We graduated at the same time and I went to the educational-side, which I did for a year to about a year and a half. I thought I needed to get my hands dirty, though, to be a better teacher. I went to this company...and I recently rejoined the Flatiron School’s faculty. 17:40 – Panel: That’s great. I was with a company for 3 years, left for 2 years, and then I came back. It’s a testament to not burning bridges. There is value to leaving and going to get new and different experiences. You grow in the process, and that’s what happened for me. I like your path and thanks for sharing your story! 18:50 – Fresh Books! 20:00 – Chuck: Do you have any policies on how students (at Flatiron School) need to contribute? 20:06 – Guest: Not so much HOW but we encourage it. The guest goes into detail and mentions Elixir School (see links below). 21:33 – Panel: That is a good suggestion if a newbie wants to contribute and they are afraid to contribute. You can get involved and your suggestion will be reviewed. 22:10 – Guest: Yes! There is a team member, Matt, and he contributed to the code base. He was new to the Elixir community, and showed his thought-process. Contributing to open source is great because it helps the community, and opens a pathway for great feedback and conversation. 23:30 – Panel: I think that’s a healthy way to look at pole requests. I have worked with folks that don’t view it that way, though. They hold their code a little close to their chest and that’s it. I like the dialogue. 24:00 – Chuck: This stuff isn’t staying still b/c the Elixir community is constantly growing. I cannot recommend highly enough to learn something new. It can be just 20-30 minutes a day. If you aren’t doing that then you will fall behind. 24:57 – Panel: Question for Sophie. How did you get involved with Elixir School? 25:18 – Guest: I am definitely not an expert. It’s a group of people who thought that Elixir should be more accessible. I like it because it’s beginner-friendly. Find something to contribute to b/c there are tons of different levels to find what’s good for you. 27:09 – Panel: Has it be re-skinned/re-themed? 27:15 – Guest: Yeah, I think so. Along with the theme-related they have been putting high priority into different languages. 27:38 – Panelist comments about natural languages and translations. 27:52 – Chuck: Was this a project through the school or something else? 28:06 – Guest: It’s not through the school. 28:36 – Chuck: Any other projects through the school? 28:46 – Guest: Yes, the school has a lab and it’s neat to see it grow! 29:38 – Panel: Have you tried those other technologies before (and they didn’t work) or did you just anticipate it was a problem that you couldn’t solve without the Beam. 30:02 – Guest answers. 32:33 – Panel: That makes sense. You were reaching for Erlang when you were on the Ruby Stack. 32:49 – Guest refers to tooling and Rabbit. 33:00 – Chuck: You mentioned Rabbit – what does your typical stack look like? Are you running Phoenix? Or here is a job so here is Elixir? What is your process like? 33:23 – Guest: A Ruby on Rails app it has all the ups-and-downs and it’s kind of old. As we are growing and partnering with new companies/schools we are updating and seeing a need to grow even more. 34:49 – Panel. 34:54 – Guest: The video that Chris McCord put out! 35:03 – Chuck: Check the show notes’ links! 35:15 – Chuck: Picks! 35:23 – Ad: Lootcrate.com END – CacheFly! Links: Ruby Elixir Elm Atom.io Flutter.io JavaScript Visual Studio Code React Guardian Joken Erlang-Jose Flatiron School Flatiron School's Blog Flatiron Labs Elixir School Elixir School EMx 020 Episode Utah Elixir Meetup Blog: How We Built the Learn IDE in Browser Break_In The Great Code Adventure Rabbit Sophie’s Website Sophie’s Twitter Sponsors: Loot Crate Get a Coder Job! Fresh Books CacheFly Picks: Mark Utah Elixir Meetup Nate Racquetball Getting out and doing something Charles repurpose.io Sling TV Fox Sports Sophie Elixir School Learn IDE Blog

Panel: Charles Max Wood Guest: Nassredean Nasseri This week on My Ruby Story, Chuck talks with Dean who is a senior software engineer at VTS, Inc. in New York City. Dean uses Ruby and is an advocate for the software. He and Chuck discuss his background, current projects, and more! In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 1:00 – Dean: Hi, Everyone! 2:07 – Chuck: E363 of Ruby Rogues is your past episode. 1:13 – Dean: I am a Ruby developer and out in NY City. I have been developing Ruby for the past 6 years now. 1:42 – Chuck: What made you want to do something like Fir? 1:50 – Dean: I love developing developer tools and using something that I can use in my day-to-day work – I like that. I am constantly debugging and trying new things. That’s how I operate. I wanted to build a tool that would take the concepts that were missing from IRB and...put in a shell like FITCH. That was the motivation to that project. 2:42 – Chuck: Check out his past episode to get into the nitty gritty. Let’s roll back – how did you get into programming? 3:10 – Dean: I started programming in 2009/2010. I was a senior in High School and I wanted to make a social media website. I knew about HTML and other things but databases and servers I had no idea about. I downloaded WAMP – you familiar? It stands for: WINDOWS APACHE, MYSQL, and PHP. 4:19 – Chuck: What about programming that got you started? 4:27 – Dean: To build the thing that was in my head. My motivation was I wanted to see this THING to get built. I had a UI and I used jQuery. I got further and further; I realized that I was enjoying it. I liked the feeling and I spent 6 hours and I felt rewarded. 5:12 – Chuck: I played with programming as a younger person but in college I was introduced to...and I liked something coming together. Programming felt like a toy for me. I built a platform for people to find an apartment with their amenities that they wanted. It never came to light but it was fun to build. 6:00 – Dean. 6:12 – Chuck: I was a software consultant for a while. They spent 10’s of thousands of dollars on this project and me. You get into PHP and how did you come to Ruby? 6:40 – Dean: I didn’t study computer science in college. My friends who had a “background” and they said that I needed to use Python. Python held me back b/c of the 2 to 3 split and the server getting up on my machine b/c certain tendencies needed x, y, and z. That drove me away from Python but I did like the language. My friend told me to try Ruby and I read a book (Ruby on Rails by Michael, 2nd ed.) and I got Ruby. That was really cool to me. I went through the tutorial and that was powerful for me. Motto: Keep things fun and simple and then build on things later. 8:59 – Chuck: I hear people complain about Ruby. Can you still do that? 9:13 – Dean: Yes, I think so. The thing that stands out to me is action cable. Maybe a beginner doesn’t want to have to think about. Rails is the best way to get up and running with minimum friction. 9:45 – Chuck: I worked through a company and I was their tech support – so I can relate to that. Other things that people worry about: Action Cable, etc. you don’t have to worry about that until later. That makes sense. What have you done that your proud of? 10:24 – Dean: I worked at a company and proud of the certain features I have built and shipped. I am proud of learning more and more about Ruby internals. I am proud of FIR, too. 11:43 – Chuck: Yeah, FIR does sound interesting. I hear people say that often: I built this thing and it makes a difference in this way. What are you working on now? 12:11 – Dean: Tech Ops; it’s a hybrid between DevOps and... We have worked on projects like migrating CAM CAM CAM to PUNDIT. That was the last huge Ruby project we’ve worked on. Our ongoing mission is to make sure things are up to date. I have been migrating from our former CI provider to Circle CI. It’s been a challenge. It requires DOCKER and it was important for us to use... (Dean goes into more detail.) Dean: We have been working on flaky tests, which was more Ruby focused. (Dean goes into more detail.) 15:42 – Chuck: I am curious to see what those tips are? 15:49 – Charlie McMillan – check out his blog post: Tips to Fixing Flaky Feature Specs. There is a real art to it. 16:06 – Chuck: Anything else? 16:16 – Dean: That’s pretty much the good stuff. 16:24 – Chuck: Over the course of your career what is an overarching theme? 16:42 – Dean: From the technological side – not really – but important to my development is empathy. Develop empathy for your colleagues, and customers. I love the tech stuff, but I made mistakes. I was so tech focused that maybe at the expense of my team. The soft skills are really important to this business. Being empathetic in this field and this is equally as important to being a really good empathetic person. 18:03 – Chuck: As we continue to see things grow – you can build small applications on your own. But when you are building a Facebook or something complex – then at that point your ability to work with people trumps your technical abilities. Once your past that can you work with other people? 19:06 – Picks! 19:14 – Advertisement – Fresh Books! Links: Ruby Elixir Rails Rust Dean’s Medium Dean’s Website Dean’s GitHub Dean’s Flickr Sponsors: Get a Coder Job Cache Fly Fresh Books Picks: Charles Get A Coder Job Book: Scourged by Kevin Hearne Down? Depressed? Try taking care of other people! Dean VTS b/c we are hiring Book: Iran Awakening – By Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Panel: Charles Max Wood Guest: Nassredean Nasseri This week on My Ruby Story, Chuck talks with Dean who is a senior software engineer at VTS, Inc. in New York City. Dean uses Ruby and is an advocate for the software. He and Chuck discuss his background, current projects, and more! In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 1:00 – Dean: Hi, Everyone! 2:07 – Chuck: E363 of Ruby Rogues is your past episode. 1:13 – Dean: I am a Ruby developer and out in NY City. I have been developing Ruby for the past 6 years now. 1:42 – Chuck: What made you want to do something like Fir? 1:50 – Dean: I love developing developer tools and using something that I can use in my day-to-day work – I like that. I am constantly debugging and trying new things. That’s how I operate. I wanted to build a tool that would take the concepts that were missing from IRB and...put in a shell like FITCH. That was the motivation to that project. 2:42 – Chuck: Check out his past episode to get into the nitty gritty. Let’s roll back – how did you get into programming? 3:10 – Dean: I started programming in 2009/2010. I was a senior in High School and I wanted to make a social media website. I knew about HTML and other things but databases and servers I had no idea about. I downloaded WAMP – you familiar? It stands for: WINDOWS APACHE, MYSQL, and PHP. 4:19 – Chuck: What about programming that got you started? 4:27 – Dean: To build the thing that was in my head. My motivation was I wanted to see this THING to get built. I had a UI and I used jQuery. I got further and further; I realized that I was enjoying it. I liked the feeling and I spent 6 hours and I felt rewarded. 5:12 – Chuck: I played with programming as a younger person but in college I was introduced to...and I liked something coming together. Programming felt like a toy for me. I built a platform for people to find an apartment with their amenities that they wanted. It never came to light but it was fun to build. 6:00 – Dean. 6:12 – Chuck: I was a software consultant for a while. They spent 10’s of thousands of dollars on this project and me. You get into PHP and how did you come to Ruby? 6:40 – Dean: I didn’t study computer science in college. My friends who had a “background” and they said that I needed to use Python. Python held me back b/c of the 2 to 3 split and the server getting up on my machine b/c certain tendencies needed x, y, and z. That drove me away from Python but I did like the language. My friend told me to try Ruby and I read a book (Ruby on Rails by Michael, 2nd ed.) and I got Ruby. That was really cool to me. I went through the tutorial and that was powerful for me. Motto: Keep things fun and simple and then build on things later. 8:59 – Chuck: I hear people complain about Ruby. Can you still do that? 9:13 – Dean: Yes, I think so. The thing that stands out to me is action cable. Maybe a beginner doesn’t want to have to think about. Rails is the best way to get up and running with minimum friction. 9:45 – Chuck: I worked through a company and I was their tech support – so I can relate to that. Other things that people worry about: Action Cable, etc. you don’t have to worry about that until later. That makes sense. What have you done that your proud of? 10:24 – Dean: I worked at a company and proud of the certain features I have built and shipped. I am proud of learning more and more about Ruby internals. I am proud of FIR, too. 11:43 – Chuck: Yeah, FIR does sound interesting. I hear people say that often: I built this thing and it makes a difference in this way. What are you working on now? 12:11 – Dean: Tech Ops; it’s a hybrid between DevOps and... We have worked on projects like migrating CAM CAM CAM to PUNDIT. That was the last huge Ruby project we’ve worked on. Our ongoing mission is to make sure things are up to date. I have been migrating from our former CI provider to Circle CI. It’s been a challenge. It requires DOCKER and it was important for us to use... (Dean goes into more detail.) Dean: We have been working on flaky tests, which was more Ruby focused. (Dean goes into more detail.) 15:42 – Chuck: I am curious to see what those tips are? 15:49 – Charlie McMillan – check out his blog post: Tips to Fixing Flaky Feature Specs. There is a real art to it. 16:06 – Chuck: Anything else? 16:16 – Dean: That’s pretty much the good stuff. 16:24 – Chuck: Over the course of your career what is an overarching theme? 16:42 – Dean: From the technological side – not really – but important to my development is empathy. Develop empathy for your colleagues, and customers. I love the tech stuff, but I made mistakes. I was so tech focused that maybe at the expense of my team. The soft skills are really important to this business. Being empathetic in this field and this is equally as important to being a really good empathetic person. 18:03 – Chuck: As we continue to see things grow – you can build small applications on your own. But when you are building a Facebook or something complex – then at that point your ability to work with people trumps your technical abilities. Once your past that can you work with other people? 19:06 – Picks! 19:14 – Advertisement – Fresh Books! Links: Ruby Elixir Rails Rust Dean’s Medium Dean’s Website Dean’s GitHub Dean’s Flickr Sponsors: Get a Coder Job Cache Fly Fresh Books Picks: Charles Get A Coder Job Book: Scourged by Kevin Hearne Down? Depressed? Try taking care of other people! Dean VTS b/c we are hiring Book: Iran Awakening – By Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Panel: Charles Max Wood Guest: Nassredean Nasseri This week on My Ruby Story, Chuck talks with Dean who is a senior software engineer at VTS, Inc. in New York City. Dean uses Ruby and is an advocate for the software. He and Chuck discuss his background, current projects, and more! In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 1:00 – Dean: Hi, Everyone! 2:07 – Chuck: E363 of Ruby Rogues is your past episode. 1:13 – Dean: I am a Ruby developer and out in NY City. I have been developing Ruby for the past 6 years now. 1:42 – Chuck: What made you want to do something like Fir? 1:50 – Dean: I love developing developer tools and using something that I can use in my day-to-day work – I like that. I am constantly debugging and trying new things. That’s how I operate. I wanted to build a tool that would take the concepts that were missing from IRB and...put in a shell like FITCH. That was the motivation to that project. 2:42 – Chuck: Check out his past episode to get into the nitty gritty. Let’s roll back – how did you get into programming? 3:10 – Dean: I started programming in 2009/2010. I was a senior in High School and I wanted to make a social media website. I knew about HTML and other things but databases and servers I had no idea about. I downloaded WAMP – you familiar? It stands for: WINDOWS APACHE, MYSQL, and PHP. 4:19 – Chuck: What about programming that got you started? 4:27 – Dean: To build the thing that was in my head. My motivation was I wanted to see this THING to get built. I had a UI and I used jQuery. I got further and further; I realized that I was enjoying it. I liked the feeling and I spent 6 hours and I felt rewarded. 5:12 – Chuck: I played with programming as a younger person but in college I was introduced to...and I liked something coming together. Programming felt like a toy for me. I built a platform for people to find an apartment with their amenities that they wanted. It never came to light but it was fun to build. 6:00 – Dean. 6:12 – Chuck: I was a software consultant for a while. They spent 10’s of thousands of dollars on this project and me. You get into PHP and how did you come to Ruby? 6:40 – Dean: I didn’t study computer science in college. My friends who had a “background” and they said that I needed to use Python. Python held me back b/c of the 2 to 3 split and the server getting up on my machine b/c certain tendencies needed x, y, and z. That drove me away from Python but I did like the language. My friend told me to try Ruby and I read a book (Ruby on Rails by Michael, 2nd ed.) and I got Ruby. That was really cool to me. I went through the tutorial and that was powerful for me. Motto: Keep things fun and simple and then build on things later. 8:59 – Chuck: I hear people complain about Ruby. Can you still do that? 9:13 – Dean: Yes, I think so. The thing that stands out to me is action cable. Maybe a beginner doesn’t want to have to think about. Rails is the best way to get up and running with minimum friction. 9:45 – Chuck: I worked through a company and I was their tech support – so I can relate to that. Other things that people worry about: Action Cable, etc. you don’t have to worry about that until later. That makes sense. What have you done that your proud of? 10:24 – Dean: I worked at a company and proud of the certain features I have built and shipped. I am proud of learning more and more about Ruby internals. I am proud of FIR, too. 11:43 – Chuck: Yeah, FIR does sound interesting. I hear people say that often: I built this thing and it makes a difference in this way. What are you working on now? 12:11 – Dean: Tech Ops; it’s a hybrid between DevOps and... We have worked on projects like migrating CAM CAM CAM to PUNDIT. That was the last huge Ruby project we’ve worked on. Our ongoing mission is to make sure things are up to date. I have been migrating from our former CI provider to Circle CI. It’s been a challenge. It requires DOCKER and it was important for us to use... (Dean goes into more detail.) Dean: We have been working on flaky tests, which was more Ruby focused. (Dean goes into more detail.) 15:42 – Chuck: I am curious to see what those tips are? 15:49 – Charlie McMillan – check out his blog post: Tips to Fixing Flaky Feature Specs. There is a real art to it. 16:06 – Chuck: Anything else? 16:16 – Dean: That’s pretty much the good stuff. 16:24 – Chuck: Over the course of your career what is an overarching theme? 16:42 – Dean: From the technological side – not really – but important to my development is empathy. Develop empathy for your colleagues, and customers. I love the tech stuff, but I made mistakes. I was so tech focused that maybe at the expense of my team. The soft skills are really important to this business. Being empathetic in this field and this is equally as important to being a really good empathetic person. 18:03 – Chuck: As we continue to see things grow – you can build small applications on your own. But when you are building a Facebook or something complex – then at that point your ability to work with people trumps your technical abilities. Once your past that can you work with other people? 19:06 – Picks! 19:14 – Advertisement – Fresh Books! Links: Ruby Elixir Rails Rust Dean’s Medium Dean’s Website Dean’s GitHub Dean’s Flickr Sponsors: Get a Coder Job Cache Fly Fresh Books Picks: Charles Get A Coder Job Book: Scourged by Kevin Hearne Down? Depressed? Try taking care of other people! Dean VTS b/c we are hiring Book: Iran Awakening – By Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Panel: Charles Max Wood Guest: Rae Krantz This week on My Angular Story, Charles speaks with Rae Krantz (Akron, OH) who works remotely with the Toll Wave company (Phoenix, AZ). She does Angular work there with a small team. She specializes in information technology and services. Rachel (Rae) and Chuck talk about Angular and how she got her amazing job through a Twitter connection! In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 1:30 – Hello! 1:35 – Rae, please give us your background. 2:25 – Chuck: Tina’s interview will go live later on another episode. It’s interesting How did you get into coding? 2:50 – Rae: I started on a course 4 or 5 years ago. I moved to Akron, Ohio with the WOMEN and TECH group here, and got involved with the group. Free code camp and so on. Through meeting this Meetup I found a new position. This led to Angular development. I enjoyed the DevOps, but this Toll Wave is awesome! I have been working there for 9-10 months. 4:45 – Chuck: Why Angular and not Vue or Java? 4:52 – Rae: I started a side project with Angular with friends. They had a strong view with Angular, because Angular dealt with a lot of security issues. Since then I am pretty solid on the Angular side. The React side, I guess, is cool. 5:53 – Chuck: People tend to go towards technologies that they can get help with. It makes sense why you went with Angular. Is there anyone specific that got you into Angular? 6:23 – Rae: I didn’t have a network at the time. The 2 people that got me into Angular actually weren’t developers. I started with Docs and the Heroes actually were a great resource. It covers these pieces that are necessary to know how it works. I used early on NG docs, too. 7:24 – Chuck: Actually that is organized by... 7:42 – Chuck: Getting your job is very interesting. I a m writing a book on how to find a job as a software developer. I see that people are struggling with this. What did you have in place to show them that you were capable for the job? 8:18 – Rae: The interview was very conversational. It wasn’t algorithm tests; nothing super fancy. It really got into the work I’ve done and my thought process. I appreciated that the interview was realistic. I can go back to other traditionally other interview were “tougher.” I had to do an algorithm test. I sat down and I was terrified for that. It was more “simple” for the entry-level people. The saving grace is if you are frozen – just talk about the process. They want to see how you would talk through the process – they want to see that. You just have to know people. This Twitter job happened because of a network effect. 10:19 – Chuck: Yes, very true. It is a lot easier to get a job that someone can just introduce you to the company then trying to do it all yourself. Creating those opportunities through the people you know. 10:56 – Chuck: What are you doing now? 11:01 – Rae: Financial management application. It’s secret right now. In my free time, it is very hard to push through one thing. The latest thing I have been doing lately is the Rust Programming Book. I have talked with my director that I enjoy Angular but I don’t want to do just frontend. He’s been really great about it. He’s talking with other program managers to get involved with other projects that are coming in. I have tried to look at React. I cannot make myself do it. If you are good at one, then why would you learn the other one? Only reason to learn React is if I want a React job. 13:12 – Chuck: People say to me that they want to stay current and also job availability. If my current situation changes then I can adopt any technology that they change to. 13:58 – Rae: I have been wanting to look at Vue. I don’t know anything about Vue other than the inventor of it. It would be fun to play with the differences. 14:42 – Chuck adds his comments. 14:50 – Rae: There are so many different things out there to learn! Different languages – it’s hard to limit myself to limited languages within a 40-minute talk. I spoke at the following conferences recently: 1.) Codemash in Ohio 2.) Meetups in Grand Rapids (Software Craftsmanship) 3.) Self Conference in Detroit (no recordings) 4.) Full Stack Fest in Barcelona – the best conference ever because it was so well organized. The attention to detail was amazing. 17:09 – Chuck adds his comments. Yeah we will encourage people to look into your talks! 17:24 – Rae: Neat! Rae talks about workshops and typical Meetups. Cleveland area – October 6th – learn how to code – it will be fun! 18:25 – Chuck: ngGirls.org 18:40 – Chuck: Any advice for someone getting into tech? 18:50 – Rae: Do it before you have kids. Your energy is at a low when you have kids and you don’t have the energy to work on the things you want to work on. If you don’t have kids then use your Netflix time now and STUDY! If I can get through a chapter a day – that is fantastic – with life with kids. I work through lunches a lot. I try to use my day care time with care. It’s great to be at a conference without a kid. 22:06 – Chuck: I have 5 kids. My oldest is 12 – so that is fine, but my youngest is 3. The way we do it is I travel more than my wife. She’s a trooper to take care of the kids. I send her on a trip to see her best friend in North Carolina. 22:52 – Chuck: People are paying attention to people have different circumstances. 23:06 – Chuck: The last thing I want to ask is anything you are looking forward to in the future? Where do you want to wind-up? 23:25 – Rae talks about her hopes and dreams. Rae: The puzzle aspect, I like. I like making things work together. The larger scope is what I like. In terms of the languages I take as they come. Rust, yes, I would like to use that a few years down the line. It’s funny – I would learn React if I had to use it. I want to get in-depth in a few areas of Angular. 24:43 – Chuck: Check out these technologies through these podcasts. I echo what you are saying on these 3 frameworks. I am having fun with Vue right now. It really depends on what you want and what you need. Go play with them all! Chuck talks about Vue, Angular and Java. 25:31 – Chuck: Picks! Links: jQuery Angular JavaScript Vue Meetup Coursera Angular – Tour of Heroes Rae’s Website Rae’s GitHub Rae’s Medium Sponsors: Get A Coder Job Code Badges Cache Fly Picks: Charles Max Wood Screenflow 8 Rae Krantz Rust Book Women in Technology NG Girls Chelsea Troy’s Blog “Leveling Up” Medium – Snowflake – How They Assess Levels Supportive spouse My Work Team Cleveland Tech on Slack

Panel: Charles Max Wood Guest: Rae Krantz This week on My Angular Story, Charles speaks with Rae Krantz (Akron, OH) who works remotely with the Toll Wave company (Phoenix, AZ). She does Angular work there with a small team. She specializes in information technology and services. Rachel (Rae) and Chuck talk about Angular and how she got her amazing job through a Twitter connection! In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 1:30 – Hello! 1:35 – Rae, please give us your background. 2:25 – Chuck: Tina’s interview will go live later on another episode. It’s interesting How did you get into coding? 2:50 – Rae: I started on a course 4 or 5 years ago. I moved to Akron, Ohio with the WOMEN and TECH group here, and got involved with the group. Free code camp and so on. Through meeting this Meetup I found a new position. This led to Angular development. I enjoyed the DevOps, but this Toll Wave is awesome! I have been working there for 9-10 months. 4:45 – Chuck: Why Angular and not Vue or Java? 4:52 – Rae: I started a side project with Angular with friends. They had a strong view with Angular, because Angular dealt with a lot of security issues. Since then I am pretty solid on the Angular side. The React side, I guess, is cool. 5:53 – Chuck: People tend to go towards technologies that they can get help with. It makes sense why you went with Angular. Is there anyone specific that got you into Angular? 6:23 – Rae: I didn’t have a network at the time. The 2 people that got me into Angular actually weren’t developers. I started with Docs and the Heroes actually were a great resource. It covers these pieces that are necessary to know how it works. I used early on NG docs, too. 7:24 – Chuck: Actually that is organized by... 7:42 – Chuck: Getting your job is very interesting. I a m writing a book on how to find a job as a software developer. I see that people are struggling with this. What did you have in place to show them that you were capable for the job? 8:18 – Rae: The interview was very conversational. It wasn’t algorithm tests; nothing super fancy. It really got into the work I’ve done and my thought process. I appreciated that the interview was realistic. I can go back to other traditionally other interview were “tougher.” I had to do an algorithm test. I sat down and I was terrified for that. It was more “simple” for the entry-level people. The saving grace is if you are frozen – just talk about the process. They want to see how you would talk through the process – they want to see that. You just have to know people. This Twitter job happened because of a network effect. 10:19 – Chuck: Yes, very true. It is a lot easier to get a job that someone can just introduce you to the company then trying to do it all yourself. Creating those opportunities through the people you know. 10:56 – Chuck: What are you doing now? 11:01 – Rae: Financial management application. It’s secret right now. In my free time, it is very hard to push through one thing. The latest thing I have been doing lately is the Rust Programming Book. I have talked with my director that I enjoy Angular but I don’t want to do just frontend. He’s been really great about it. He’s talking with other program managers to get involved with other projects that are coming in. I have tried to look at React. I cannot make myself do it. If you are good at one, then why would you learn the other one? Only reason to learn React is if I want a React job. 13:12 – Chuck: People say to me that they want to stay current and also job availability. If my current situation changes then I can adopt any technology that they change to. 13:58 – Rae: I have been wanting to look at Vue. I don’t know anything about Vue other than the inventor of it. It would be fun to play with the differences. 14:42 – Chuck adds his comments. 14:50 – Rae: There are so many different things out there to learn! Different languages – it’s hard to limit myself to limited languages within a 40-minute talk. I spoke at the following conferences recently: 1.) Codemash in Ohio 2.) Meetups in Grand Rapids (Software Craftsmanship) 3.) Self Conference in Detroit (no recordings) 4.) Full Stack Fest in Barcelona – the best conference ever because it was so well organized. The attention to detail was amazing. 17:09 – Chuck adds his comments. Yeah we will encourage people to look into your talks! 17:24 – Rae: Neat! Rae talks about workshops and typical Meetups. Cleveland area – October 6th – learn how to code – it will be fun! 18:25 – Chuck: ngGirls.org 18:40 – Chuck: Any advice for someone getting into tech? 18:50 – Rae: Do it before you have kids. Your energy is at a low when you have kids and you don’t have the energy to work on the things you want to work on. If you don’t have kids then use your Netflix time now and STUDY! If I can get through a chapter a day – that is fantastic – with life with kids. I work through lunches a lot. I try to use my day care time with care. It’s great to be at a conference without a kid. 22:06 – Chuck: I have 5 kids. My oldest is 12 – so that is fine, but my youngest is 3. The way we do it is I travel more than my wife. She’s a trooper to take care of the kids. I send her on a trip to see her best friend in North Carolina. 22:52 – Chuck: People are paying attention to people have different circumstances. 23:06 – Chuck: The last thing I want to ask is anything you are looking forward to in the future? Where do you want to wind-up? 23:25 – Rae talks about her hopes and dreams. Rae: The puzzle aspect, I like. I like making things work together. The larger scope is what I like. In terms of the languages I take as they come. Rust, yes, I would like to use that a few years down the line. It’s funny – I would learn React if I had to use it. I want to get in-depth in a few areas of Angular. 24:43 – Chuck: Check out these technologies through these podcasts. I echo what you are saying on these 3 frameworks. I am having fun with Vue right now. It really depends on what you want and what you need. Go play with them all! Chuck talks about Vue, Angular and Java. 25:31 – Chuck: Picks! Links: jQuery Angular JavaScript Vue Meetup Coursera Angular – Tour of Heroes Rae’s Website Rae’s GitHub Rae’s Medium Sponsors: Get A Coder Job Code Badges Cache Fly Picks: Charles Max Wood Screenflow 8 Rae Krantz Rust Book Women in Technology NG Girls Chelsea Troy’s Blog “Leveling Up” Medium – Snowflake – How They Assess Levels Supportive spouse My Work Team Cleveland Tech on Slack

Panel: Charles Max Wood Guest: Rae Krantz This week on My Angular Story, Charles speaks with Rae Krantz (Akron, OH) who works remotely with the Toll Wave company (Phoenix, AZ). She does Angular work there with a small team. She specializes in information technology and services. Rachel (Rae) and Chuck talk about Angular and how she got her amazing job through a Twitter connection! In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 1:30 – Hello! 1:35 – Rae, please give us your background. 2:25 – Chuck: Tina’s interview will go live later on another episode. It’s interesting How did you get into coding? 2:50 – Rae: I started on a course 4 or 5 years ago. I moved to Akron, Ohio with the WOMEN and TECH group here, and got involved with the group. Free code camp and so on. Through meeting this Meetup I found a new position. This led to Angular development. I enjoyed the DevOps, but this Toll Wave is awesome! I have been working there for 9-10 months. 4:45 – Chuck: Why Angular and not Vue or Java? 4:52 – Rae: I started a side project with Angular with friends. They had a strong view with Angular, because Angular dealt with a lot of security issues. Since then I am pretty solid on the Angular side. The React side, I guess, is cool. 5:53 – Chuck: People tend to go towards technologies that they can get help with. It makes sense why you went with Angular. Is there anyone specific that got you into Angular? 6:23 – Rae: I didn’t have a network at the time. The 2 people that got me into Angular actually weren’t developers. I started with Docs and the Heroes actually were a great resource. It covers these pieces that are necessary to know how it works. I used early on NG docs, too. 7:24 – Chuck: Actually that is organized by... 7:42 – Chuck: Getting your job is very interesting. I a m writing a book on how to find a job as a software developer. I see that people are struggling with this. What did you have in place to show them that you were capable for the job? 8:18 – Rae: The interview was very conversational. It wasn’t algorithm tests; nothing super fancy. It really got into the work I’ve done and my thought process. I appreciated that the interview was realistic. I can go back to other traditionally other interview were “tougher.” I had to do an algorithm test. I sat down and I was terrified for that. It was more “simple” for the entry-level people. The saving grace is if you are frozen – just talk about the process. They want to see how you would talk through the process – they want to see that. You just have to know people. This Twitter job happened because of a network effect. 10:19 – Chuck: Yes, very true. It is a lot easier to get a job that someone can just introduce you to the company then trying to do it all yourself. Creating those opportunities through the people you know. 10:56 – Chuck: What are you doing now? 11:01 – Rae: Financial management application. It’s secret right now. In my free time, it is very hard to push through one thing. The latest thing I have been doing lately is the Rust Programming Book. I have talked with my director that I enjoy Angular but I don’t want to do just frontend. He’s been really great about it. He’s talking with other program managers to get involved with other projects that are coming in. I have tried to look at React. I cannot make myself do it. If you are good at one, then why would you learn the other one? Only reason to learn React is if I want a React job. 13:12 – Chuck: People say to me that they want to stay current and also job availability. If my current situation changes then I can adopt any technology that they change to. 13:58 – Rae: I have been wanting to look at Vue. I don’t know anything about Vue other than the inventor of it. It would be fun to play with the differences. 14:42 – Chuck adds his comments. 14:50 – Rae: There are so many different things out there to learn! Different languages – it’s hard to limit myself to limited languages within a 40-minute talk. I spoke at the following conferences recently: 1.) Codemash in Ohio 2.) Meetups in Grand Rapids (Software Craftsmanship) 3.) Self Conference in Detroit (no recordings) 4.) Full Stack Fest in Barcelona – the best conference ever because it was so well organized. The attention to detail was amazing. 17:09 – Chuck adds his comments. Yeah we will encourage people to look into your talks! 17:24 – Rae: Neat! Rae talks about workshops and typical Meetups. Cleveland area – October 6th – learn how to code – it will be fun! 18:25 – Chuck: ngGirls.org 18:40 – Chuck: Any advice for someone getting into tech? 18:50 – Rae: Do it before you have kids. Your energy is at a low when you have kids and you don’t have the energy to work on the things you want to work on. If you don’t have kids then use your Netflix time now and STUDY! If I can get through a chapter a day – that is fantastic – with life with kids. I work through lunches a lot. I try to use my day care time with care. It’s great to be at a conference without a kid. 22:06 – Chuck: I have 5 kids. My oldest is 12 – so that is fine, but my youngest is 3. The way we do it is I travel more than my wife. She’s a trooper to take care of the kids. I send her on a trip to see her best friend in North Carolina. 22:52 – Chuck: People are paying attention to people have different circumstances. 23:06 – Chuck: The last thing I want to ask is anything you are looking forward to in the future? Where do you want to wind-up? 23:25 – Rae talks about her hopes and dreams. Rae: The puzzle aspect, I like. I like making things work together. The larger scope is what I like. In terms of the languages I take as they come. Rust, yes, I would like to use that a few years down the line. It’s funny – I would learn React if I had to use it. I want to get in-depth in a few areas of Angular. 24:43 – Chuck: Check out these technologies through these podcasts. I echo what you are saying on these 3 frameworks. I am having fun with Vue right now. It really depends on what you want and what you need. Go play with them all! Chuck talks about Vue, Angular and Java. 25:31 – Chuck: Picks! Links: jQuery Angular JavaScript Vue Meetup Coursera Angular – Tour of Heroes Rae’s Website Rae’s GitHub Rae’s Medium Sponsors: Get A Coder Job Code Badges Cache Fly Picks: Charles Max Wood Screenflow 8 Rae Krantz Rust Book Women in Technology NG Girls Chelsea Troy’s Blog “Leveling Up” Medium – Snowflake – How They Assess Levels Supportive spouse My Work Team Cleveland Tech on Slack